Australians living with Parkinson’s disease, neuroblastoma, endometrial cancer, cystic fibrosis and melanoma can now save money, after medications used to treat these conditions were among those added to the Prescription Benefit Scheme (PBS).

The Federal Government has announced the introduction of several new medications and treatments on the PBS, saving users thousands, and in some cases hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

It follows news announced earlier this month that the government has also approved new legislation that prescriptions listed on the PBS will be cut from $31.60 to $25 from January 1, 2026.

The maximum concession card holders will pay for a script is $7.70.

Introduced by the government in 1948, the PBS is a government subsidy program that allows Australians to access approved medications for a small co-payment.

It sees the Federal Government, via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), negotiate set prices with drug manufacturers for certain prescription medicines.

Tremor reduction drug now cheaper

“The inclusion of Vyalev®, used to treat advanced Parkinson’s disease, marks the first time the medication has been listed on the PBS.”

— The Hon Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care

Common symptoms of Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disease that results from the loss of cells in parts of the brain that produce dopamine, include tremors, muscle stiffness and difficulty with movement.

Vyalev® is a combination of two medicines delivered by a pump, providing a steady flow of medication to reduce tremors and improve mobility.

💊 Cost without PBS: More than $131,000 per year.

Help for those fighting Stage III melanoma

Other drugs added to the PBS schedule include Opdivo® and Yervoy®, both used to treat patients with Stage III melanoma before surgery.

Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer, and if not detected early, can spread throughout the body, including to the lungs, liver and brain.

“Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, with one person diagnosed every 30 minutes and one person dying every six hours.”

— Minister Butler

These immunotherapies help the immune system find and attack cancer cells by blocking a protein that normally hides them. Given before surgery, this treatment can shorten the overall treatment time and slow down or stop the cancer from returning.

💊 Cost without PBS: Typically more than $31,000 per course of treatment.

Promising news for those living with womb cancer

In promising news for those living with deficient mismatch repair endometrial cancer, Imfinzi®’s presence on the PBS will be expanded, saving users around $239,000 per course of treatment.

Deficient mismatch repair endometrial cancer is a type of womb cancer where the cells lose the ability to properly fix DNA damage. This leads to an accumulation of genetic changes, which in some cases can accelerate cancer growth and progression.

Imfinzi® works by blocking a protein that helps cancer cells hide from the immune system. This helps the body find and attack the cancer, which may slow or stop its growth and reduce the chance of it returning, says Minister Butler.

What’s next?

The news wasn’t all positive, however, with an application to include a drug to treat the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease on the PBS among those rejected by PBAC at its last meeting.

Meanwhile, an application to seek PBAC’s advice to provide equitable access to medicines for the treatment of obesity is among those that will be considered at the next PBAC meeting, held in November.