those of us who were waiting to get Ibrance or Kisqali on PBS we will not get either. Only newly the diagnosed who have NOT had anAromatose drug. ( there would be very few of them ) BCNA failed to include this in their news item. Those who were on a trial or compassionate grounds will get Kisqali on the PBS. Go to the PBS website, put in Ribociclib andclick on ' Authority required ' then read the sorry tale. BCNA applauded the health minister for his decision deliberately ignoringall of us who have stage 4. BCNA should be condemned for there reaction. Good luck every one. wendylou

Hi All for those mets patients who have been following the submissions forPalbociclib and then ribociclibto pbs listing which occured last year and again this year It was known then that the drug would only be available to those of us who arehormone positive her negative first time diagnosed mets This being patients who had not been on an AI drug for more than one monthThis has not changedYes we are disappointedHowever I feel that BC NA has not misrepresented thisI cannot comment on the info from media sourcesYES bcna can now lobby on our behalf for these drugs to be made avaible to those who have been on AI Bright in hope

If a drug is added to the PBS is should be for anyone who needs it. So sick of hearing you can't have this or that or be added to a clinical trial because you had that drug first. Well excuse me for getting metastatic bc and needing treatment. I believe all Stage 4 should be prioritised or those with aggressive early bc regardless.

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Hello everyone, thank you for raising concerns with the listing of ribociclib on the PBS. Please see the link below to BCNAs recent statement on our website explaining the PBS listing for people newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancerhttps://www.bcna.org.au/news/2018/07/ribociclib-now-on-the-pbs-for-people-newly-diagnosed-with-metastatic-breast-cancer/As always we advise you speak with your medical oncologist about your individual situation. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact BCNA on 1800 500 258 or email policy@bcna.org.au

I have been contacted by BCNA - thank you for clarifying and following this up - I stand corrected. According to Novartis - (so yes Arpie it is indeed strange that on the " initial treatment - one of the conditions states " patient must not have been treated with AIs" but then for Continuing or Grandfather patients the phrase " patients must have not been treated with AIS for this condition" is used) still I am happy to write.Ribociclib is available on PBS for women with early disease who use AIs in the adjuvant setting and go on to progress to advanced disease provided they fulfill the time criteria of accessing the drug. Arpie posted the PBS criteria for all to look at. Thank you!! So the restriction to my understanding involves women who have Metastatic Breast Cancer and have been on AIs. And again my understanding is that men with Metastatic Breast Cancer can not access it on PBS. BCNA please weigh on this. My statement about the time lag between FDA approval in the States PBS authority is correct - it took us three years to bring the drugs to PBS. My understanding is Palbociclib is not available because a satisfactory financial deal could not be reach between the ministry and Pfizer. Ribociclib does have potential cardiac side effects, albeit rare - not reported with Palbociclib - women who take Ribociclib have regular cardiac monitoring. Finally BCNA - Is Ribociclib available with Faslodex on PBS? Its time to fight hard for solid options for Metastatic Breast Cancer.Time for Beyond Pink!

Kisqali on PBS, very few will get it.

arpie
Member
7 years ago
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:
Patient must not have previously been treated with an aromatase inhibitor,
AND
The condition must be hormone receptor positive,
AND
The condition must be human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative,
AND
The condition must be inoperable,
AND
Patient must have a World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 2 or less,
AND
The treatment must be in combination with anastrozole or letrozole,
AND
Patient must require dosage reduction requiring a pack of 21 tablets.
Population criteria:
Patient must not be premenopausal.

Authority Required
Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Treatment Phase: Continuing treatment
Clinical criteria:
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition,
AND
Patient must not develop disease progression while receiving treatment with this drug for this condition,
AND
Patient must have stable or responding disease,
AND
The treatment must be in combination with anastrozole or letrozole,
AND
Patient must require dosage reduction requiring a pack of 21 tablets.
Population criteria:
Patient must not be premenopausal.
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:
Patient must have previously received non-PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition prior to 1 July 2018,
AND
Patient must not have previously been treated with an aromatase inhibitor prior to initiating treatment with this drug for this condition,
AND
The condition must be hormone receptor positive,
AND
The condition must be human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative,
AND
The condition must be inoperable,
AND
Patient must have had a World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 2 or less prior to initiating treatment with this drug for this condition,
AND
The treatment must be in combination with anastrozole or letrozole,
AND
Patient must not develop disease progression while receiving treatment with this drug for this condition,
AND
Patient must have stable or responding disease,
AND
Patient must require dosage reduction requiring a pack of 21 tablets.
Population criteria:
Patient must not be premenopausal.

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
arpie
Member
7 years ago
A bit harsh there, I think Wendylou :( .... I wouldn't think BCNA would deliberately falsify information re treatment/medication. I am sure there will be a response shortly.

That's disgusting. No 'conditions' were mentioned in the interview that I saw on TV ....

If it is available for one BC patient - it should be available for ALL

I think a heap more lobbying is needed @Giovanna_BCNA @Marianne_BCNA @Rosie_BCNA to bring back some fairness in this decision.

Looking forward to your response on this complex issue! :(
FYONA1
Member
7 years ago
I agree even though I'm on this particular drug initially I wanted to have it down the track because of potentialsid effects but I was told no I had to take it there and then otherwise may not have had the opportunity to have it down the track who knows

and yes@ Tennille I agree with you we metastatic women need to put basically put first and heard 200%
Tennille
Member
7 years ago
If a drug is added to the PBS is should be for anyone who needs it. So sick of hearing you can't have this or that or be added to a clinical trial because you had that drug first. Well excuse me for getting metastatic bc and needing treatment. I believe all Stage 4 should be prioritised or those with aggressive early bc regardless.
Anonymous
7 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
Kattykit
Member
7 years ago
I know that I just made the cut as I had only been on letrozole for 27 days, otherwise I wouldn't have been given the Ribociclib, my oncologist was panicking a bit because the hospital stuffed up and lost my records between hospitals when I needed the nail put in my leg.
Anonymous
7 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.

Forum Discussion

Kisqali on PBS, very few will get it.

Related Content

Kisqali & Letrozole - thankful & fearful...

Kisqali

Kisqali, blood tests and scans

Kisqali

Kisqali on PBS, very few will get it.

Recent Discussions

Palbociclib Side effects back

I just found out today

Allergic reaction to chemo

Fulvestrant pain - any suggestions?

6 month update TNBC Stage 4

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners