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The quality of life of cystic fibrosis patient Jess Ragusa has improved so much after she started taking Tricaft that she compares the drug to something from the world of “magic, fairies and wonders”. Few Australians who limit life would know what it means because the cost of a breakthrough treatment that improves lung function and respiration has been overly high. That’s why Ms. Ragusa cried with joy at learning that Trikafta, which cost her family more than $ 21,000 a month, will be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from April 1. A woman from New Wales has been taking medication for six months, and described it as a “life change” as she welcomed the announcement by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. She told the Sunday Canberra Times that her lung function had improved by 24 percent within a month of starting Tricoft, which allowed her to be a “working adult in society.” “The difference between what I was and what I am is chalk and cheese,” said Ms. Ragusa. “I don’t know if you believe in magic, fairies and miracles, but it’s true.” Mr Hunt said Trikafta will be available on PBS for Australians with cystic fibrosis when they are 12 years old and older and meet certain criteria, making it accessible to thousands of people in need. “Without the PBS subsidy, about 1,900 Australians would pay more than $ 250,000 a year for access to Trikafta,” he said. “This treatment is not available to most Australians, and now that it is available on PBS, patients will only pay a maximum of $ 42.50 per script or just $ 6.80 per discounted card.” Ms. Ragusa, the discounted cardholder, said she believes each scenario will give her enough medication for four weeks, which will actually reduce her monthly bill by more than $ 21,000 to about $ 6.80. He described Trikafta as a drug that provides “amazing improvements in lung health, quality of life and longevity” for people with cystic fibrosis. The drug’s maker, Vertex, also praised its listing on PBS, describing it as “an incredible milestone.”
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The quality of life of cystic fibrosis patient Jess Ragusa has improved so much after she started taking Tricaft that she compares the drug to something from the world of “magic, fairies and wonders”.
Few Australians who limit life would know what it means because the cost of a breakthrough treatment that improves lung function and respiration has been overly high.
That’s why Ms. Ragusa cried with joy when she learned that Tricoft, which cost her family more than $ 21,000 a month, will be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from April 1.
A woman from New Wales has been taking the drug for six months and described it as “life-changing” as she welcomed the announcement by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.
She said Sunday Canberra Times Her lung function improved by 24% within a month of starting Trikafta, which allowed her to be a “working adult in society”.
“The difference between what I was and what I am is chalk and cheese,” said Ms. Ragusa.
– I don’t know if you believe in magic, fairies and miracles, but it’s true.
Federal Secretary of Health Greg Hunt. Photo: Elesa Kurz
Mr Hunt said Trikafta would be available on PBS for Australians with cystic fibrosis if they were 12 years of age or older and met certain criteria, making it available to thousands of people in need.
“Without the PBS subsidy, about 1,900 Australians would pay more than $ 250,000 a year for access to Trikafta,” he said.
“This treatment is not available to most Australians, and now that it is available on PBS, patients will only pay a maximum of $ 42.50 per scenario or just $ 6.80 with a discounted card.”
Ms. Ragusa, the holder of the discounted card, said she believes each scenario will give her enough medication for four weeks, which will actually reduce her monthly bill by more than $ 21,000 to about $ 6.80.
Professor John Wilson, a leading cystic fibrosis physician at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, said Mr Hunt’s statement was “most incredibly welcomed by Australia’s medical community”.
He described Trikafta as a drug that provides “amazing improvements in lung health, quality of life and longevity” for people with cystic fibrosis.
