Media Statement - 25th July 2008
3200 people suffering from Crohn disease will benefit from subsidised access to adalimumab (Humira®) on the PBS from 1 August 2008.
Crohn disease is an inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect your work, family and social life.
People suffering from Crohn disease experience chronic abdominal pain, diarrhoea and bowel movements containing blood. Symptoms include fever, anorexia, fatigue and joint pain.
Thanks to this listing, patients will be able to self administer by an injection under the skin rather than be admitted as a day patient to receive an infusion.
Adalimumab has differing long term effects on patients compared with currently listed therapies. This extension to listing will allow patients the choice between adalimumab and alternative PBS listed therapies for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn disease.
The listing on the PBS will provide subsidised access for patients using adalimumab (Humira®) for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn disease.
About 3,200 additional people will begin using adalimumab for the treatment of Crohn disease in the first full financial year of listing.
Adalimumab is currently PBS listed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
The extension to the listing of adalimumab will add around $131.8 million to PBS and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme expenditure between 2008-09 and 2011-12.