Australia to list Jinarc on PBS

The Australian government will list a new medicine for adults with genetic kidney disease on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), saving patients around A$23,000 ($16,428) a year.

Jinarc (tolvaptan), which was developed and is marketed by Japanese drugmaker Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s (TYO: 4768), will be available through the PBS from January 1, 2019. It is the first effective drug treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) on the PBS.

The disease is a genetic, progressive and painful disease in which cysts develop and grow in the kidneys. Most people with this disease will need dialysis or a transplant by the time they are 60. There are also multiple complications from the disease, which may include hypertension, chronic and acute pain, repeated urinary tract infections, and depression as the cysts grow and quality of life declines.

The PBS listing of Jinarc provides new hope to people diagnosed with this disease that they may be able to have a better quality of life, with potential for improvement for their kidney and overall health.

Around 900 patients each year are expected to benefit from the listing. Instead of A$23,600 per year they will be able to obtain this innovative new medicine for just A$40.30 per script, or A$6.50 for concessional patients. While 10,000 Australians are estimated to have the disease, most are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced.

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