A Wagga family is hoping a third attempt to have a cystic fibrosis drug subsidised will be successful.
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The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will meet on July 5 to discuss adding new medications to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including Orkambi, a drug which could benefit teenager and budding musician Bella Ingram.
Bella and her parents Grant and Lea Ingram have jointed a national campaign to have Orkambi listed on the PBS. Without a PBS listing, the drug costs about $250,000 a year.
“We are still hoping that it will be third time lucky,” Mrs Ingram said.
“Orkambi has been approved for use in Australia, but it doesn’t have a PBS listing, which means it is just not affordable for most people.”
Cystic Fibrosis Australia says about 1000 young people with a particular CF mutation could benefit from taking Orkambi.
Nettie Bourke, the chief executive officer of CF Australia, said “the PBAC must realise that Australians with CF need access to life-changing drugs.”
