From the PBS Website: http://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/11385F
It looks like you need to be a lawyer to understand the 'conditions' attached to the access to this drug!
They appear to contradict themselves, saying: Patient must not have previously been treated with an aromatase inhibitor,
- then further down say: The treatment must be in combination with anastrozole or letrozole
Hmmm ... so you only qualify if you start AIs AFTER starting Ribociclib?
How many are given AIs BEFORE starting Ribociclib?
Personally, I don't understand all the terms ..... like 'grandfather patients'?? Please explain?
There appears to be different criteria for 3 different 'Met BC & Phases/' ....
1) Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Treatment Phase: Initial Treatment
2) Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Treatment Phase: Continuing treatment
3) Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Treatment Phase: Initial treatment - Grandfather patients
Direct PBS QUOTE:
Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Treatment Phase: Initial treatment
Clinical criteria:
AND
AND
AND
AND
AND
AND
Population criteria:
Authority Required
Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Treatment Phase: Continuing treatment
Clinical criteria:
AND
AND
AND
AND
Population criteria:
A patient who has progressive disease when treated with this drug is no longer eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug.
Authority Required
Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Treatment Phase: Initial treatment - Grandfather patients
Clinical criteria:
AND
AND
AND
AND
AND
AND
AND
AND
AND
Population criteria:
A patient may qualify for PBS-subsidised treatment under this restriction once only.
For continuing PBS-subsidised treatment, a Grandfathered patient must qualify under the Continuing treatment criteria.
UNQUOTE