Breakthrough therapies for Parkinson’s, cancer and more now within reach for patients

Breakthrough therapies for Parkinson’s, cancer and more now within reach for patients

The Federal Government announced this week that the cost of some of the most advanced treatments in Australia is about to drop from hundreds of thousands of dollars to just the price of a standard script. From 1 August, a new round of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings will give Australians facing serious and complex conditions access to medicines that, until now, were priced far beyond reach for most patients.

The listings include therapies for advanced Parkinson’s disease, high-risk neuroblastoma, stage III melanoma, and a form of endometrial cancer—along with an expansion for a cystic fibrosis treatment. For each, the PBS subsidy means eligible patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 with a concession card. From January 2026, under the government’s policy, that maximum will fall further to $25.

For people living with advanced Parkinson’s disease, the first-time listing of foslevodopa with foscarbidopa (Vyalev®) will provide access to a therapy worth more than $131,000 a year without subsidy. Delivered via a pump for steady dosing, Vyalev® can help reduce tremors and improve movement in patients whose symptoms are no longer adequately controlled by oral medication. Around 330 Australians are expected to benefit each year.

For families of children in remission from high-risk neuroblastoma, the listing of eflornithine (Ifinwil®) could be life-changing. This aggressive childhood cancer can return even after intensive treatment, but eflornithine may help prevent relapse by blocking an enzyme that supports tumour growth. Without PBS listing, a course could cost more than $417,000. About 20 Australian children are expected to receive the drug annually.

In melanoma, the PBS will now subsidise the use of nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®) before surgery in patients with stage 3 disease. Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, and these immunotherapies can help the body’s immune system detect and attack cancer cells earlier, potentially preventing recurrence. This new listing—worth over $31,000 per course without subsidy—will support about 390 Australians each year.

Durvalumab (Imfinzi®) will also be expanded on the PBS to treat deficient mismatch repair endometrial cancer in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy. By blocking the PD-L1 protein that helps cancer cells evade detection, durvalumab can slow disease progression and reduce recurrence risk. Without PBS subsidy, treatment could cost more than $239,000. Around 60 Australians a year are expected to benefit.

Since July 2022, the Australian Government has approved extra funding for 351 new and amended PBS listings. Health Minister Mark Butler says these changes are part of a broader commitment to making breakthrough treatments more affordable, accessible, and available earlier in the treatment pathway.

For the patients and families affected, the shift from six-figure price tags to a standard PBS co-payment is more than a financial reprieve—it’s the removal of a barrier that can define whether or not treatment is even an option. By expanding access to these medicines, the PBS is not only reducing financial stress but also giving Australians with serious illnesses a better chance at improved outcomes and quality of life.