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News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals

PBS listed: First oral targeted therapy in HER2-negative early breast cancer

Health Industry Hub | July 1, 2024 |

Pharma News: A new targeted therapy is now accessible to Australians with an inherited form of high-risk, early breast cancer, with AstraZeneca’s PARP-inhibitor being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from July 1, 2024.

Lynparza (olaparib) marks a significant milestone as the first oral therapy available on the PBS specifically targeting HER2-negative early breast cancer patients with confirmed gBRCA1 or gBRCA2 mutations. These patients, often dealing with aggressive disease despite prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, now have a targeted treatment option.

Dr Richard de Boer, a Medical Oncologist at Epworth Freemasons Hospital in Melbourne, emphasised the importance of this reimbursment.

“This treatment option addresses an unmet clinical need for targeted treatments for early breast cancer patients with a gBRCA mutation,” he stated. “Currently, patients diagnosed with germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative, high-risk early breast cancer may experience a high rate of the disease recurring, due to its aggressive nature.”

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia, with approximately 20,000 new cases each year. HER2-negative (also called triple-negative) breast cancer accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancers and is particularly prevalent among those under 40. About 5% of breast cancer cases involve a germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

Ben McDonald, Country President of AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the significance of the PBS listing.

“This PBS listing ensures more Australian breast cancer patients have another option for affordable access to new medicines. We will continue to advocate for earlier, faster, fairer access to medicines for all Australians,” McDonald commented.

Dr de Boer added, “I welcome the news that Lynparza is now available on the PBS as a treatment option for patients with early breast cancer. These patients live with the psychological and physical demands of their high-risk disease while balancing work and family responsibilities.”

Sarah Powell, CEO of Pink Hope, said “There has long been a need for a targeted medicine to treat BRCA-mutated early breast cancer patients and our hereditary cancer community appreciates the availability of this new targeted treatment option on the PBS.”

“As a high-risk individual myself,” Powell added, “I know that these patients are usually young and in the prime of their life – contributing to the community, active members of the workforce and often raising young children and caring for aging parents, too. The listing of Lynparza on the PBS is welcome news for many early breast cancer patients around Australia and their loved ones.”

The recommendation for Lynparza’s PBS listing followed last November’s PBAC meeting, where “the revised economic evaluation addressed most of the outstanding issues; however, an additional price reduction was required to account for remaining uncertainty in the modelled benefit of olaparib.”

Lynparza is already reimbursed for ovarian cancer treatment.

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