In a significant stride toward better healthcare for women in Australia, Australia’s Medicines Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) recently made a groundbreaking recommendation. They proposed government subsidisation for two Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) tests, a move that promises to revolutionise the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment in the country.
The subsequent endorsement by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for expanded listing of PARP inhibitor medications for those eligible people with a HRD-positive test adds a ray of hope for countless Australian women battling ovarian cancer.
This monumental development holds the potential to transform the lives of women across the nation, and we had the privilege of discussing its implications with Bridget Bradhurst, Advocacy Manager at Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA).
The recommendation to subsidize HRD tests is not just a bureaucratic decision; it’s a lifeline for women with ovarian cancer.
“HRD testing and increased access to PARP inhibitors have been available internationally for some time. We know that PARP inhibitors can extend the time between disease recurrences and even improve overall survival for some women,” Ms Bradhurst said.
Until now, eligibility for PARP inhibitors in Australia was limited to those with a BRCA mutation, leaving a significant portion of patients without access to these life-extending drugs. The recent recommendation changes the game.
“The significance of these recommendations is that those in this additional group, for whom the data demonstrates benefits, will no longer have to self-fund or miss out. The Government will subsidize the cost of the tests and medicines. This means more equitable and timely access, leading to improved patient outcomes.”
While OCA played a pivotal role in advocating for this recommendation, the impact extends far beyond any single organization. Bridget notes, “To bring and list a new test or medicine in Australia requires effective collaboration at all steps of the process. Our team is immensely thankful to industry partners who commit to trialling their products in Australia and subsequently seek listing here. We truly appreciate their persistence through multiple resubmissions over this extended period.”
The Department of Health’s involvement in assessing submissions and listening to the voices of those affected by ovarian cancer highlights the collective commitment to improving women’s healthcare.
But the path to this recommendation was not without hurdles.
Bridget acknowledges, “The process of taking a medicine or test from the time of clinical trial, through to acceptance by TGA, and then subsidy by PBS and MBS in Australia is often lengthy and resource-intensive.”
However, OCA and its partners worked diligently to identify and overcome obstacles, sharing their learnings with the current Australian HTA review underway to see a system more able to provide timely and affordable access to new treatments.
The road ahead involves several steps, with recommendations provided to the Government to outline outcomes and the reasons behind the decisions, the Health Minister’s approval is required before the tests and medicines are formally subsidised.
In the meantime, OCA is aware of compassionate access programs for HRD testing and PARP inhibitor access for newly and recently diagnosed eligible patients and recommends discussing further options with the treatment team.
Ovarian Cancer Australia’s dedication to this cause has been unwavering. As Advocacy Manager, Bridget expresses gratitude, stating, “We have been advocating for this for many months, and we thank those involved in the assessment processes for listening and responding to the voices of the ovarian cancer community. We are thrilled the committees have acknowledged the great benefit of PARP inhibitors for those with HRD.”
OCA has been the voice of lived experience throughout these assessments, articulating why the medicines or tests under consideration are of incredible importance to those impacted by ovarian cancer and what it would mean for someone diagnosed to have access to these tests and treatments. The roles of patient groups like OCA in this process cannot be understated.
They have also engaged with representatives of the committees making the decisions, as well as other stakeholders and groups involved, ensuring the ovarian cancer community is represented appropriately and adequately.
The recent recommendation pertains to HRD testing and PARP inhibitors for newly diagnosed women with advanced, high-grade serous ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer. While it marks a significant milestone in improving treatment options, much work remains to be done for groups with other subtypes of ovarian cancer.
As we look to the future, the impact of this recommendation on women’s lives is profound.
On OCA’s ongoing advocacy goals, Bridget says, “We will continue to raise awareness for access to personalized medicine, including genetic and tumour testing for all eligible women, increased availability of clinical trials in Australia, and faster listing of promising treatments for ovarian cancer.”
Furthermore, OCA is committed to reducing regional variations in care and ensuring that all diagnosed women, regardless of their location, have access to optimal treatment.
“The landscape for ovarian cancer can only undergo significant change with substantial investment in research. We will continue to lobby the government to seek the funding injections needed to shift the dial on survival.”
As with any ask of government and the bureaucracy that supports it, the patient voice is key. Hence, the recommendation for subsidizing HRD tests and PARP inhibitors is a beacon of hope for women with ovarian cancer in Australia. It signifies a brighter future, where equitable access to life-saving treatments is no longer a dream but a reality, reminding us all of the importance of collective efforts in improving women’s health.
More information can be found at https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/news/118/pbac-hrd-update
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