New Agents available overseas pre chemo

[Paul Edwards]

In the United States men with prostate cancer can get access to Abiraterone (brand name Zytiga) and Enzalutamide (brand name Xtandi) before chemotherapy.

 

We'd like to get to a stage in Australia where Abiraterone (brand name Zytiga) and Enzalutamide (brand name Xtandi) are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme before chemotherapy.

 

The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, when considering applications to put drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, looks at what its overseas equivalent bodies have done.

 

Thanks to member Russ for letting us know that since 11 December 2015  Enzalutamide (but not Abiraterone) is now routinely available on the National Health Scheme in England and Wales, regardless of whether or not a man has previously been treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.

 

 

In Scotland it's the reverse - Abiraterone (but not Enzalutamide) is now routinely available on the National Health Scheme in Scotland, regardless of whether or not a man has previously been treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.

 

 

http://prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2015/12/nice-decision-on-abiraterone-and-enzalutamide-without-chemotherapy

[Charles (Chuck) Maack]

Correct speilling; Zytiga, not Xtiga. [Edit Thanks Chuck It's been fixed]

 

Available [in the US] pre-chemo but requires presence of known metastases