Puff snuff: quit-smoking aid added to subsidised-drugs list
SMOKERS whose resolutions for quitting go out with a puff soon after January 1 are in line for some relief this year as a drug that curbs cravings is added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Champix, which also helps reduce the symptoms associated with giving up cigarettes, was yesterday added to the PBS as part of a list of new drugs added to the Federal Government scheme, which makes listed drugs cheaper.
About 195,000 smokers are expected to use Champix this year, at an additional cost to the scheme of $76.3 million over four years, said the federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.
Champix will cost about $60 for a 12-week treatment and about $10 for pensioners and health care card holders. Patients will receive a subsidy for one course a year.
The director of cancer information and support services at the Cancer Council of NSW, Gillian Batt, welcomed the change.
"Anything that can help people to give up smoking has to be tried," she said. "This is just one more tool in the tool box."
She said 70 per cent of smokers would like to quit and new year's resolutions to do so would be further aided by good planning.
"Smoking is associated with different places and things, so if you plan it so you don't go to the pub and don't hang around friends who are smokers, the temptation is reduced."
However, there are concerns that Champix has been linked to depression and suicide in the US.
Other drugs to be made cheaper were medications for infants with chest infections and patients suffering eye conditions and pleural mesothelioma, the cancer that killed the asbestosis campaigner, Bernie Banton.
Ms Roxon credited Mr Banton with highlighting the plight of mesothelioma patients through his campaign to have the drug Alimta added to the scheme.
"Bernie was a great Australian hero, and it is due to his efforts that many people will understand the significance of this decision," she said.
About 300 patients are expected to use Alimta each year to treat mesothelioma, in combination with another drug, cisplatin.
Vaxiprox junior, an influenza vaccine for children under 3 at risk of chest infections, was also added to the list, as were eye medicines that optometrists can prescribe patients after gaining approval from Medicare.
Last financial year the scheme cost taxpayers about $6.5 billion. The PBS advisory committee, which makes recommendations on which drugs should be listed, meets three times a year and will next meet in March.
Champix, which also helps reduce the symptoms associated with giving up cigarettes, was yesterday added to the PBS as part of a list of new drugs added to the Federal Government scheme, which makes listed drugs cheaper.
About 195,000 smokers are expected to use Champix this year, at an additional cost to the scheme of $76.3 million over four years, said the federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.
Champix will cost about $60 for a 12-week treatment and about $10 for pensioners and health care card holders. Patients will receive a subsidy for one course a year.
The director of cancer information and support services at the Cancer Council of NSW, Gillian Batt, welcomed the change.
"Anything that can help people to give up smoking has to be tried," she said. "This is just one more tool in the tool box."
She said 70 per cent of smokers would like to quit and new year's resolutions to do so would be further aided by good planning.
"Smoking is associated with different places and things, so if you plan it so you don't go to the pub and don't hang around friends who are smokers, the temptation is reduced."
However, there are concerns that Champix has been linked to depression and suicide in the US.
Other drugs to be made cheaper were medications for infants with chest infections and patients suffering eye conditions and pleural mesothelioma, the cancer that killed the asbestosis campaigner, Bernie Banton.
Ms Roxon credited Mr Banton with highlighting the plight of mesothelioma patients through his campaign to have the drug Alimta added to the scheme.
"Bernie was a great Australian hero, and it is due to his efforts that many people will understand the significance of this decision," she said.
About 300 patients are expected to use Alimta each year to treat mesothelioma, in combination with another drug, cisplatin.
Vaxiprox junior, an influenza vaccine for children under 3 at risk of chest infections, was also added to the list, as were eye medicines that optometrists can prescribe patients after gaining approval from Medicare.
Last financial year the scheme cost taxpayers about $6.5 billion. The PBS advisory committee, which makes recommendations on which drugs should be listed, meets three times a year and will next meet in March.
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