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Dupixent, a medicine described as “life-changing” for those affected by severe and debilitating eczema, is now PBS-listed for Australians aged 12 years and older. “There will be tears of relief that this breakthrough medicine is now available for Australians with severe eczema regardless of their ability to pay,” Eczema Support Australia Managing Director Melanie Funk said, adding that the federal Health Minister’s announcement of the PBS listing from 1 March 2021, is “the best news ever”. “We offer our heartfelt thanks to Minister \\\\\\\[Greg\\\\\\\] Hunt and the federal government for listening to many stories of the agony of life with eczema and for subsidising a therapy described as ‘life changing’ by those who’ve received early and compassionate access. “Australians with severe eczema and their families suffer a significant financial burden due to the ongoing cost of treating eczema, as well as lost employment due to the condition, so financial distress is an area of need, which this subsidy will help address. “We’re committed to improving the practical support available for the eczema community and, having more treatment options that are subsidised is a critical part of that.” Until now, Australians with severe eczema have been treated with corticosteroid creams or broad-based immunosuppressant drugs, which, it’s said, cannot be used long-term. It’s also said that these therapies fail to control eczema for many Australians, resulting in a life-long battle to cope with flare-ups and avoid triggers. Dupixent is promoted as the first biologic therapy for severe eczema, injected once a fortnight for the rest of a patient’s life. The subsidy reduces the medicine’s annual cost from $22,800 to just $41.30 or $6.60 for concession card holders per prescription. Australians with severe eczema should consult their dermatologist or immunologist to establish whether they’re eligible for this treatment. About Eczema Support Australia Ms Funk, a mother of twin 11-year-olds with severe eczema, set up Eczema Support Australia to provide support and connection for people affected by this debilitating condition. In 2020, the organisation launched a national campaign, ‘SOS – Save us from eczema’, which emphasises the severity of eczema and the need for community understanding and support. Ms Funk says severe eczema has often been misunderstood and trivialised as a skin irritation, and “behind this \\\\\\\[PBS\\\\\\\] listing, there are individuals who have had the courage to speak out for the first time about the pain and suffering caused by severe eczema”. “The Minister’s announcement marks official recognition that our suffering is real, which will be a huge boost to our community who have suffered in silence for so long. “We’ll continue to campaign for widespread public understanding and practical support for all families and individuals affected by eczema so that Australians with eczema can live a normal life.” For more about Eczema Support Australia, visit: eczemasupport.org.au. WHAT’S TRENDING 5 NOW SUBSIDISED: A ‘LIFE-CHANGING’ MEDICINE RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2021