Yesterday, NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia joined Clinton, who is living with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and his mother Debbie, who has been tirelessly advocating for better treatment access for Australians with this disease, at Parliament House in Canberra.
Together, we met with Federal MPs and advisors to raise awareness of the challenges currently faced by people diagnosed with MTC in Australia, particularly the lack of PBS access to Selpercatinib, a targeted therapy that is already transforming outcomes for patients internationally.
Without PBS listing, the treatment can cost patients thousands of dollars per course, placing an impossible financial burden on families already navigating a cancer diagnosis.
With Selpercatinib due to be considered at an upcoming PBAC meeting, we advocated strongly that if a positive recommendation is made, swift action follows to ensure the treatment becomes available on the PBS without delay, so that Australian patients are not left behind or forced to face significant out-of-pocket costs and a prognosis which could be life limiting.
These conversations were constructive and encouraging, and we are grateful for the time and engagement shown by those who met with us to hear directly from patients and families. This included advisors to the Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, as well as meetings with the Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Anne Ruston, the Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson, and the Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips. We appreciate their willingness to listen and engage on the urgent need for equitable access to Selpercatinib for Australians living with medullary thyroid carcinoma.
NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia will continue advocating to ensure Australians living with neuroendocrine cancers have equitable access to the treatments they need.
