Greg Giles has battled severe eczema for most of his life, experiencing relentless itching both day and night. He now relies on Dupixent, an injectable therapy that alleviates his symptoms, which include redness, bleeding, and occasional infections. Giles describes the treatment as “miraculous,” highlighting its rapid effectiveness and lower side effects compared to older options. Since being added to Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in 2021, nearly 20,000 Australians have accessed Dupixent, leading to higher-than-anticipated costs for the government, amounting to $270 million.
Recently, the medication faced the risk of removal from the PBS, which would force patients to pay $20,000 per prescription. However, the Health Minister announced that a new agreement has been reached, ensuring the treatment remains funded under the PBS. Effective from December 1st, patients can use Dupixent at a significantly reduced cost of $32. The treatment not only offers immediate relief but also lessens the need for frequent medical appointments, a notable benefit for a health system where out-of-pocket expenses exceed $330 million annually. There is a clear consensus among healthcare providers that demand for Dupixent is greater than originally anticipated, and the increased funding will help meet this need.