Crohn's disease patients fight to get drug on PBS

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200706/s1940562.htm

People living with Crohn's disease say the Federal Government is ignoring their plight as they fight to get a drug vital to their treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Sarah Hird, 22, will eventually have her bowel removed if she cannot keep up with the $18,000 a year she needs for the drug Infliximab to keep her illness under control.

"There's got to be something the Government can do for us," she said.

"It has to be done."

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended the drug for the PBS, but sufferers are worried that it will not be listed.

Health Minister Tony Abbott says it is not the Government's fault.

"We are happy to go forward with this PBAC recommendations, for some reason the company won't," he said.

"The company is denying this drug to people with Crohn's disease."

But the company says the recommendation is too restrictive and would deny the drug to the majority of patients.