The charge of a high-priced drug used to treat cystic fibrosis could be dramatically reduced for the parents of toddlers struggling with the ailment.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will announce on Sunday that Kalydeco, which costs as much as $380,000, could be indexed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for babies aged 12 to 24 months.
“Families might be able to access this remedy and will pay up to $forty.Thirty inline with the script, or $6.50 with a concession card,” Mr. Hunt told the Sunday Tasmanian.
Early intervention with the drug raises the lifestyles expectancy for cystic fibrosis patients.
At present, about 280 Australians aged upwards use Kalydeco.
“For those infants to now have got right of entry to it from the age of 12 months antique is just high-quality,” Cystic Fibrosis Australia leader government Nettie Burke stated, calling it existence-converting.
“Their younger lungs will be a lot greater healthful as they go through their life.