Pfizer secures PBS listing of rare heart disease therapy

Pharma News: Pfizer’s transthyretin stabiliser is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), effective today May 1 for the treatment of adult patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I-II heart failure due to wild-type or hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).

Professor Liza Thomas, Conjoint Professor at Sydney University and University of New South Wales, as well as Clinical Lead for non-invasive cardiac imaging at Westmead Hospital, emphasised the critical role of early intervention in ATTR-CM to mitigate its rapid progression.

“On average, people with ATTR-CM who do not receive treatment live for approximately three to five years after their diagnosis, so proactive identification and early intervention are critical to slow disease progression. The availability of Vyndamax (tafamidis) on the PBS offers subsidised access to Australians living with ATTR-CM” said Professor Thomas.

Furthermore, Professor Thomas, also serving as Chair of the cardiac subcommittee of the Australian Amyloidosis Network, underscored the significance of tailored treatment options.

“With the availability of this listing, specialists now have an option for patients based on factors such as disease stage, symptoms, and individual patient characteristics,” Professor Thomas said.

The five year follow up data from the phase 3 ATTR-ACT trial demonstrated Vyndamax’s efficacy, revealing a 41% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality compared to placebo, with a median survival of 67 months in the continuous treatment arm versus 35.8 months in the placebo arm.

Anne Harris, Managing Director of Pfizer Australia and New Zealand, reiterated Pfizer’s commitment to enhancing patient care by delivering transformative medications.

“Pfizer’s purpose is to deliver breakthrough medicines that change patients’ lives. We thank the Australian Government for providing patients living with this rare, debilitating and often fatal disease with this treatment option. We are committed to working with healthcare professionals to raise awareness and enhance early detection and diagnosis of this condition,” she said.

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