Now available
We are delighted to report that from the 1st of August 2019, Bevacizumab (Avastin) is now available on the PBS for treatment of relapsed Glioblastoma. The Brain Cancer Group along with other brain tumour support groups have long been lobbying the government to have Avastin included on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for patients with relapsed Glioma. Following review of published trials, the Therapeutics Government Agency (TGA) recognised Avastin could be of benefit to some patients with Glioma.
The only way for patients to access Avastin was for them to pay for the first 3 months of therapy at a cost of up to approximately $20,000. After these initial payments, the pharmaceutical company Roche would then provide the drug for free to patients for as long as it was of benefit to their condition. Unfortunately, this up-front cost meant Avastin was out of reach for many Australians.
Now on the PBS, Avastin will be available for the cost of a normal PBS prescription for those patients with relapsed Glioblastoma who their doctor feels may benefit from the medication.
