Thousands of Australian women will benefit from the 22nd April 2016 announcement that the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The drug Nolvadex (also known generically as Tamoxifen) is a well-established drug for certain breast cancers and aims to reduce breast cancer from occurring in women at high risk. It is estimated that approximately 250,000 women will benefit from the announcement today by the Australian Government. This listing is the first medicine for the prevention of cancer on the PBS.
The results from international clinical trials research, conducted in Australia by the Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG), proved the benefits of Tamoxifen and has played a significant role in today’s announcement. The IBIS-I clinical trial for example, showed significant results in the prevention of breast cancer in women of high risk. This trial received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
The ANZBCTG’s Director of Research and IBIS-I Study Chair, Professor John Forbes AM, said the announcement is further recognition of the importance of breast cancer clinical trials research.
“The aim of clinical trials is to find new and improved treatment options and preventative therapies, that are more effective than those currently accepted as the best available standard treatment,” said Professor Forbes.
“Today’s announcement is a great opportunity to acknowledge the researchers and clinicians across Australia and New Zealand, and women who have participated in clinical trials, whose collaboration in clinical trials has resulted in improved outcomes for all women.
“Not only will Australian women have access to subsidised Nolvadex to reduce their lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, but there will also be a reduced cost to the health system with less women needing breast cancer treatments.”
Approximately 16,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia each year and one in eight women will be diagnosed by the time they turn 85.
