The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended the PBS listing of cladribine for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

The PBAC’s recommendation was based partly on its assessment that the cost-effectiveness of cladribine would be acceptable if it were cost-minimised against fingolimod.

At its July meeting, PBAC also recommended the Authority Required listing of everolimus for the treatment of refractory seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex and in combination with other anti-epileptic medication.

The PBAC noted ‘the high clinical need for a treatment for this condition’, a position endorsed by Tuberous Sclerosis Australia.

“The goal of our submission was to ensure the PBAC understood the significant impact that TSC and epilepsy have on Australians and the need to have this additional option for people who have seizures that cannot be controlled with other treatments,” the community group said in a statement.

The PBAC also recommended the Section 100 (Highly Specialised Drug) Authority Required listing of a new form of apomorphine delivered in a reusable multiple dose pen injector system for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

The PBAC advised that Apomine Intermittent 30 mg in 3 mL injection could be treated as equivalent to Movapo Pen 30 mg in 3 mL injection which was recommended at the March 2018 PBAC meeting

The Committee noted that Movapo is administered via a disposable injector pen, while Apomine Intermittent uses a reusable injector pen.

They said the difference could be managed through the regular patient education and counselling provided by prescribers and pharmacists