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PBS Lists Kisqali for High-Risk Early Breast Cancer, Slashing Patient Costs

As of July 1, patients at high risk of relapse face only a nominal co-payment for this life-extending therapy

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Dr Belinda Yeo with breast cancer survivor Catherine Mclardy.

Overview

  • From July 1, ribociclib (Kisqali) is covered by the PBS for women with early-stage, HR+/HER2– breast cancer involving lymph nodes who face high recurrence risk.
  • The listing cuts out-of-pocket costs from more than $140,000 for a typical three-year course to the standard PBS co-payment.
  • The NATALEE trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that adding Kisqali to endocrine therapy reduced recurrence risk by 28.5%.
  • Oncologists including Dr Belinda Yeo say the CDK4/6 inhibitor will expand cure-focused treatment options and help prevent cancer returning.
  • Advocacy groups stress that equitable PBS access will ease the emotional and financial burden on thousands of patients who live with daily fear of relapse.