Subsidy for breast cancer drug for Australians
 

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...012541844.html

DRUG that has been costing breast cancer victims up to $70,000 a year will be subsidised by the Federal Government. The Minister for Health, Tony Abbott, said cabinet had agreed to place the breast cancer treatment Herceptin on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from October 1.

The decision will cost the Government $400 million over the next four years and is expected to help about 2000 women a year.

"I appreciate that this is something that a lot of people have been hoping for for some time now," Mr Abbott said. "I know that the delay has frustrated a lot of people, but there are processes that have to be gone through."

The Government had expedited the review process for the drug, he said.

About 14,000 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and 2500 of them die from it. Survival rates have been improving, but the incidence has been rising.

Mr Abbott said studies had shown that women able to use Herceptin had a 30 per cent greater survival rate.