Fast response after PBAC Special Meeting

In a hastily-organised meeting the PBAC has given the thumbs up for a replacement for a hormone therapy being withdrawn from the Australian market, following sustained public pressure.

At the end of July the PBAC held an out-of-session special meeting to consider a single submission, the 3.75mg dose of Ipsen's gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist Diphereline intramuscular injection to support its use across a number of women's health conditions. 

"The PBAC recommended that the General Benefit listing for Diphereline 3.75 mg intramuscular (IM) injection be made unrestricted," the Committee announced on Monday. The recommendation was made on a cost-minimisation basis against the 3.6mg dose of AstraZeneca's Zoladex subcutaneous implant.