On 26 April 2024, Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Assessment Committee (PBAC) published the outcomes of the applications for reimbursement considered at its March 2024 meeting.
The following biosimilars have been recommended for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS):
- Amgen’s Wezlana® (ustekinumab); and
- Celltrion’s Yuflyma® (adalimumab) and Vegzelma® (bevacizumab).
In addition, the following biopharmaceuticals have been recommended for first time listing on the PBS:
- AstraZeneca’s Enhertu® (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for the treatment of patients with HER2-low unresectable or metastatic breast cancer, and Saphnelo® (anifrolumab) for the treatment of patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus with high disease activity despite standard of care;
- UCB’s Bimzelx® (bimekizumab) for the treatment of severe psoriatic arthritis;
- new forms of Janssen-Cilag’s Stelara® (ustekinumab), as 45 mg and 90 mg pre-filled syringe (PFS) and pre-filled pen (PFP); and
- a new subcutaneous form and strength of Roche’s Tecentriq® (atezolizumab).
PBAC reports that applications for an Authority Script PBS listing of Regeneron’s Eylea® (aflibercept) for the treatment of patients with visual impairment due to DMO and for the treatment of visual impairment caused by CNV secondary to AMD are to be considered at a “future” PBAC meeting.