Life-changing treatment will soon be available for more Australians living with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing for Trikafta would be expanded to include CF patients who have at least one CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene mutation that was responsive to treatment.
Minister Butler said, from July 1, patients, including children, diagnosed with rarer mutations of CF would now be able to access Trikafta through the PBS.
He said around 180 Australians each year were expected to benefit from this listing expansion.
“Without the PBS subsidy, they could pay more than $250,000 for a year of treatment.”
Minister Butler said through the PBS, eligible patients would pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 if they hold a concession card.
“The price will be even cheaper from January 1, 2026, when the maximum patients pay for PBS medicines will drop to just $25 per script.”
