The cost of PBS medicines

[Paul Edwards]

We’re all lucky in Australia to receive most of our prostate cancer medicines at heavily subsidised rates through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The Department of Health has just published details of prescription volumes and government costs under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the year ending 30 June 2015.

 

The three drugs with the highest cost to government were:

1.   Adalimumab ($313.0 million)

2.   Rosuvastatin ($215.9 million)

3.   Fluticasone+Salmeterol ($177.2 million).

Adalimumab is a medication used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic psoriasis.

Rosuvastatin, marketed as Crestor, is a statin used to treat high cholesterol and to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Fluticasone+Salmeterol is a formulation used in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

 

The PBS drugs most frequently dispensed were

1.   Atorvastatin,

2.   Rosuvastatin

3.   Esomeprazole.

Atorvastatin, marketed under the trade name Lipitor among others, is a statin, which is used primarily as a lipid-lowering agent and for prevention of events associated with cardiovascular disease.

Rosuvastatin, marketed as Crestor, is a statin used to treat high cholesterol and to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Esomeprazole reduces stomach acid and is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

 

On the list of high cost drugs:

In 29th place was Goserelin ‎(Zoladex) $58.37 million – (this figure includes use of the drug for breast cancer).

In 37th place was Abiraterone (Zytiga) $42.36 million

In 39th place was Leuprorelin (Lupron/Lucrin/Eligard) $41.93 million – (this figure includes use of the drug for breast cancer).

Enzalutamide (Xtandi) in its first year on the PBS cost $14.25 million.

 

Click on this link to read the full PBS Expenditure and Prescriptions Report 2014-15.