Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) welcomes the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s (PBAC) recommendation to subsidise two important medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS): Veoza (fezolinetant) for severe menopause symptoms and Tukysa (tucatinib) for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Veoza (fezolinetant)

This is the first non-hormonal treatment developed to target moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) such as hot flushes and night sweats. These symptoms can be particularly distressing for women who have undergone treatment for hormone-sensitive breast cancer and cannot use hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

“My experience using Veoza has been very positive. It has stopped hot flushes that would surge through my body and wake me up multiple times in the night. From a mental health perspective Veoza has helped me hugely. It has allowed me to sleep and to have energy raising my children," said BCNA Consumer Julia.

BCNA Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston, said, “For years, women living with or after breast cancer have told us that treatment-induced menopause can be one of the most difficult and distressing parts of their cancer experience. PBS subsidy will make a real difference.”

Currently costing around $80 per month, fezolinetant’s PBS listing will improve affordability and quality of life for thousands of women.

Tukysa (tucatinib)

This recommendation is a major breakthrough for Australians living with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, particularly those with brain metastases. Tucatinib, in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine, offers an effective option after progression on multiple HER2-directed therapies.

Until now, Australians faced costs of up to $4,500 per cycle.

BCNA consumer Larissa King said, “This drug is literally extending my life. Having it funded brings enormous financial relief to me and my family.  I'm incredibly grateful this treatment for metastatic breast cancer has been recommended for PBS funding. If the results from tucatanib continue to be favourable for me, it will allow me to go back to work and continue to be with my family.”

Ms Durston added, “This decision means people will finally have equitable access to a therapy that can extend life, help manage brain metastases, and give families more time together.”

BCNA will continue to work with both industry and government to ensure Veoza and Tukysa are listed on the PBS as soon as possible.