Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Change For Crohn's Disease

Main Category: Crohn's
Article Date: 19 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PST

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A change to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October 2007 will provide subsidised access to adults and children of Remicade® (infliximab) for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It can have a profound impact on professional, family and social life. Those with active Crohn's disease experience chronic abdominal pain, diarrhoea and bowel movements containing blood. Symptoms include fever, anorexia, fatigue and joint pain.

About 2,000 additional people will commence Remicade® for the treatment of Crohn's disease in the first full year of listing.

The extension to the listing of Remicade® is expected to add $53.9 million to PBS and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme expenditure between 2007-08 and 2010-11.

http://www.health.gov.au