Panel recommends new PBS listing for Eylea

Following a meeting in July, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) approved Eylea for reimbursent via the PBS. The PBAC is an independent body comprising government-appointed doctors, health professionals, health economists and consumer representatives.The committee’s primary role is to propose new medicines for the PBS, which can only be listed if it makes a positive recommendation.Bayer Australia, the drug’s local distributor, this week confirmed the panel’s decision to Insight.{{quote-A:R-W:400-Q:“Bayer is committed to making this treatment accessible for eligible patients and is working with the government to progress the PBS listing” -who:Bayer Australia}}“Bayer is committed to making this treatment accessible for eligible patients and is working with the government to progress the PBS listing,” a company spokesperson said.If granted final approval, the treatment could be made available to an additional 700 Australians every year.Eylea is currently available through the PBS for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macula oeda, and visual impairment due to macular oeda secondary to central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion.For these conditions, the drug has a dispensed price for maximum quantity of $1096.21, and a general patient charge of $40.30.Eylea, which is manufactured by New York-based Regeneron Phamaceuticals, was first registered by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration in June 2012 and obtained its initial PBS listing on 1 Decber 2012. More reading:MBS proposals draw sharp rebuke from ophthalmic sectorControversy: confusion reins over eye injection guidelinesNew implant treatment for diabetic vision loss lands TGA clearance