A team approach, knowing time is of the essence

Today, the Bayer ANZ team could not be prouder, with our novel oncology therapy now listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of men with a high-risk form of prostate cancer known medically as non-metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) (*1).

This represents the first PBS listing of a novel prostate cancer therapy in seven years (*1) and is great news for around 1,000 men (*2) whose cancer no longer responds to traditional testosterone-lowering therapy and is set to spread to other parts of the body.

Each year, approximately 17,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and, devastatingly, almost 3,200 lose their lives after cancer has spread beyond the prostate (*3)

We understand that for every man confronted by prostate cancer, time is of the essence – whether that’s in the form of early diagnosis, timely access to treatment and care, or keeping cancer at bay to enjoy more time doing the things he loves.

The road to reimbursement for our prostate cancer medicine required three submissions to Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (*4). At each hurdle, the Bayer ANZ team remained focused on the needs of men with telltale signs that their cancer is set to spread.

Regularly updating clinicians and patient advocacy groups was a priority throughout this process and the advice and support of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and other experts cannot be underestimated.

The unmet needs of men with high-risk nmCRPC (*5) were recognised by all members of the Bayer team. This is why we made a commitment in August 2020 to provide our medicine to eligible patients at no cost until a PBS listing was secured. I’m proud to confirm that approximately 200 Australian men were able to access the therapy ahead of today’s PBS listing (*6).

However, compassionate access programs are not a sustainable solution, which is why we have high hopes that the Federal Government’s Review of National Medicines Policy and its commitment to consider new health technology assessment processes will pave the way for greater certainty and faster access for all Australians requiring prescription medicines.

With greater certainty comes greater opportunity for companies like ours to provide early access to innovative medicines, knowing that there is a viable pathway to government funding.

And with enhanced viability comes greater speed and the opportunity to have these therapies reimbursed as soon as registration is granted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. This must be the shared goal of all health stakeholders.

At Bayer, we believe that proven medical advances should be readily available to patients in need. This is why we are resolute in our commitment to ensure Australians receive timely and equitable access to life-changing and lifesaving therapies. ?

References:

1.??Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits. 2021. Available at: https://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/home

2.??Bayer Australia. Data on File. PP-NUB-AU-0156-2, October 2021.

3.??Cancer Australia. Prostate Cancer in Australia Statistics. 2020. Available at: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/statistics

4.??Bayer Australia. Data on File. PP-NUB-AU-0158-2October 2021.

5.??Kirby M, et al. Characterising the Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Population: A systematic Review. Int J Clin Pract. 2011; 65: 1180-1192.

6.??Bayer Australia. Data on File. PP-NUB-AU-0159-2October 2021.

Bayer Australia Pty Ltd, ABN 22 000 1 38 714, 875 Pacific Highway, Pymble NSW 2073.

Ph: (02) 9391 6000. Date of Preparation: October 2021. PP-NUB-AU-0152-2