Latest news with #JoArmstrong
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Transformational': cystic fibrosis drug price slashed
People living with rarer types of cystic fibrosis will pay a fraction of the price to access life-changing treatment under an expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The changes will take effect from July, and mean the drug Trikafta will be affordable for patients diagnosed with rarer mutations of the disease, thanks to government subsidies. Without subsidies, the treatment would cost an eye-watering $250,000 a year. People will now pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 if they hold a concession card. Almost 200 Australians every year are expected to benefit from the change to the PBS listing. Trikafta was first subsidised in April 2022 for patients aged 12 years and older who have specific gene mutations. From January 2026, the maximum people will pay for PBS-listed medicines will drop to just $25 per script. One baby is born every four days with cystic fibrosis and more than 3700 Australians had the inherited condition as of 2022, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia. Cystic fibrosis is an incurable genetic disease that causes an abnormal amount of thick and sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive and other systems. This can cause irreversible damage to lungs and other organs over time. Trikafta and similar drugs, alongside improved treatment, have increased the life expectancy for people with the condition from 47 to 60 years in the past two decades. Health Minister Mark Butler said the cost of the more effective treatment was an "impossible price" for most people. "This expansion to Trikafta's PBS listing is great news for hundreds of Australians who live with rare mutations of CF, including children, and their families," he said. "As a result, these people will be able to lead longer and better-quality lives." Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Jo Armstrong said the move places the nation as a global leader for equitable access to therapies. "This decision means that hundreds of Australians living with cystic fibrosis will now have access to a therapy that was previously out of reach, a treatment that can dramatically improve quality of life and life expectancy," she said. "For those who've waited, hoped, and campaigned, this is more than a policy decision, it's a transformational outcome."
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
'Transformational': cystic fibrosis drug price slashed
People living with rarer types of cystic fibrosis will pay a fraction of the price to access life-changing treatment under an expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The changes will take effect from July, and mean the drug Trikafta will be affordable for patients diagnosed with rarer mutations of the disease, thanks to government subsidies. Without subsidies, the treatment would cost an eye-watering $250,000 a year. People will now pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 if they hold a concession card. Almost 200 Australians every year are expected to benefit from the change to the PBS listing. Trikafta was first subsidised in April 2022 for patients aged 12 years and older who have specific gene mutations. From January 2026, the maximum people will pay for PBS-listed medicines will drop to just $25 per script. One baby is born every four days with cystic fibrosis and more than 3700 Australians had the inherited condition as of 2022, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia. Cystic fibrosis is an incurable genetic disease that causes an abnormal amount of thick and sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive and other systems. This can cause irreversible damage to lungs and other organs over time. Trikafta and similar drugs, alongside improved treatment, have increased the life expectancy for people with the condition from 47 to 60 years in the past two decades. Health Minister Mark Butler said the cost of the more effective treatment was an "impossible price" for most people. "This expansion to Trikafta's PBS listing is great news for hundreds of Australians who live with rare mutations of CF, including children, and their families," he said. "As a result, these people will be able to lead longer and better-quality lives." Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Jo Armstrong said the move places the nation as a global leader for equitable access to therapies. "This decision means that hundreds of Australians living with cystic fibrosis will now have access to a therapy that was previously out of reach, a treatment that can dramatically improve quality of life and life expectancy," she said. "For those who've waited, hoped, and campaigned, this is more than a policy decision, it's a transformational outcome."
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Transformational': cystic fibrosis drug price slashed
People living with rarer types of cystic fibrosis will pay a fraction of the price to access life-changing treatment under an expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The changes will take effect from July, and mean the drug Trikafta will be affordable for patients diagnosed with rarer mutations of the disease, thanks to government subsidies. Without subsidies, the treatment would cost an eye-watering $250,000 a year. People will now pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 if they hold a concession card. Almost 200 Australians every year are expected to benefit from the change to the PBS listing. Trikafta was first subsidised in April 2022 for patients aged 12 years and older who have specific gene mutations. From January 2026, the maximum people will pay for PBS-listed medicines will drop to just $25 per script. One baby is born every four days with cystic fibrosis and more than 3700 Australians had the inherited condition as of 2022, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia. Cystic fibrosis is an incurable genetic disease that causes an abnormal amount of thick and sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive and other systems. This can cause irreversible damage to lungs and other organs over time. Trikafta and similar drugs, alongside improved treatment, have increased the life expectancy for people with the condition from 47 to 60 years in the past two decades. Health Minister Mark Butler said the cost of the more effective treatment was an "impossible price" for most people. "This expansion to Trikafta's PBS listing is great news for hundreds of Australians who live with rare mutations of CF, including children, and their families," he said. "As a result, these people will be able to lead longer and better-quality lives." Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Jo Armstrong said the move places the nation as a global leader for equitable access to therapies. "This decision means that hundreds of Australians living with cystic fibrosis will now have access to a therapy that was previously out of reach, a treatment that can dramatically improve quality of life and life expectancy," she said. "For those who've waited, hoped, and campaigned, this is more than a policy decision, it's a transformational outcome." People living with rarer types of cystic fibrosis will pay a fraction of the price to access life-changing treatment under an expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The changes will take effect from July, and mean the drug Trikafta will be affordable for patients diagnosed with rarer mutations of the disease, thanks to government subsidies. Without subsidies, the treatment would cost an eye-watering $250,000 a year. People will now pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 if they hold a concession card. Almost 200 Australians every year are expected to benefit from the change to the PBS listing. Trikafta was first subsidised in April 2022 for patients aged 12 years and older who have specific gene mutations. From January 2026, the maximum people will pay for PBS-listed medicines will drop to just $25 per script. One baby is born every four days with cystic fibrosis and more than 3700 Australians had the inherited condition as of 2022, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia. Cystic fibrosis is an incurable genetic disease that causes an abnormal amount of thick and sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive and other systems. This can cause irreversible damage to lungs and other organs over time. Trikafta and similar drugs, alongside improved treatment, have increased the life expectancy for people with the condition from 47 to 60 years in the past two decades. Health Minister Mark Butler said the cost of the more effective treatment was an "impossible price" for most people. "This expansion to Trikafta's PBS listing is great news for hundreds of Australians who live with rare mutations of CF, including children, and their families," he said. "As a result, these people will be able to lead longer and better-quality lives." Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Jo Armstrong said the move places the nation as a global leader for equitable access to therapies. "This decision means that hundreds of Australians living with cystic fibrosis will now have access to a therapy that was previously out of reach, a treatment that can dramatically improve quality of life and life expectancy," she said. "For those who've waited, hoped, and campaigned, this is more than a policy decision, it's a transformational outcome." People living with rarer types of cystic fibrosis will pay a fraction of the price to access life-changing treatment under an expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The changes will take effect from July, and mean the drug Trikafta will be affordable for patients diagnosed with rarer mutations of the disease, thanks to government subsidies. Without subsidies, the treatment would cost an eye-watering $250,000 a year. People will now pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 if they hold a concession card. Almost 200 Australians every year are expected to benefit from the change to the PBS listing. Trikafta was first subsidised in April 2022 for patients aged 12 years and older who have specific gene mutations. From January 2026, the maximum people will pay for PBS-listed medicines will drop to just $25 per script. One baby is born every four days with cystic fibrosis and more than 3700 Australians had the inherited condition as of 2022, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia. Cystic fibrosis is an incurable genetic disease that causes an abnormal amount of thick and sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive and other systems. This can cause irreversible damage to lungs and other organs over time. Trikafta and similar drugs, alongside improved treatment, have increased the life expectancy for people with the condition from 47 to 60 years in the past two decades. Health Minister Mark Butler said the cost of the more effective treatment was an "impossible price" for most people. "This expansion to Trikafta's PBS listing is great news for hundreds of Australians who live with rare mutations of CF, including children, and their families," he said. "As a result, these people will be able to lead longer and better-quality lives." Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Jo Armstrong said the move places the nation as a global leader for equitable access to therapies. "This decision means that hundreds of Australians living with cystic fibrosis will now have access to a therapy that was previously out of reach, a treatment that can dramatically improve quality of life and life expectancy," she said. "For those who've waited, hoped, and campaigned, this is more than a policy decision, it's a transformational outcome." People living with rarer types of cystic fibrosis will pay a fraction of the price to access life-changing treatment under an expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The changes will take effect from July, and mean the drug Trikafta will be affordable for patients diagnosed with rarer mutations of the disease, thanks to government subsidies. Without subsidies, the treatment would cost an eye-watering $250,000 a year. People will now pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 if they hold a concession card. Almost 200 Australians every year are expected to benefit from the change to the PBS listing. Trikafta was first subsidised in April 2022 for patients aged 12 years and older who have specific gene mutations. From January 2026, the maximum people will pay for PBS-listed medicines will drop to just $25 per script. One baby is born every four days with cystic fibrosis and more than 3700 Australians had the inherited condition as of 2022, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia. Cystic fibrosis is an incurable genetic disease that causes an abnormal amount of thick and sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive and other systems. This can cause irreversible damage to lungs and other organs over time. Trikafta and similar drugs, alongside improved treatment, have increased the life expectancy for people with the condition from 47 to 60 years in the past two decades. Health Minister Mark Butler said the cost of the more effective treatment was an "impossible price" for most people. "This expansion to Trikafta's PBS listing is great news for hundreds of Australians who live with rare mutations of CF, including children, and their families," he said. "As a result, these people will be able to lead longer and better-quality lives." Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Jo Armstrong said the move places the nation as a global leader for equitable access to therapies. "This decision means that hundreds of Australians living with cystic fibrosis will now have access to a therapy that was previously out of reach, a treatment that can dramatically improve quality of life and life expectancy," she said. "For those who've waited, hoped, and campaigned, this is more than a policy decision, it's a transformational outcome."
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Victorian councils 'deeply reluctant' to enforce emergency services levy
Victorian councils are "deeply reluctant" to enforce the state government's increased emergency services levy as backlash from the agriculture sector intensifies. The Victorian government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund legislation passed through the Upper House on Thursday night and was met with outrage from some volunteer fire fighters. The fund, which replaces the cheaper fire services levy, is designed to raise revenue for fire services, the State Emergency Service, triple-0 and the state control centre. Councils across the state are now tasked with collecting the new tax from ratepayers from July 1, despite many local government bodies vehemently opposing the tax. Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) chair Shane Sali said he was worried some residents would simply refuse to pay the new line item. "That's a shortfall on their rates notice which means we have to go through a collection process of trying to get that outstanding money from ratepayers," he said. Mr Sali said councils were in the dark around how they were expected to collect and handle any issues with levy payment. Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said his council was "deeply reluctant" to fulfil its legal obligation in collecting the tax. Mayor Jo Armstong said the levy was "a complete travesty". "It will impact every single resident, from our farmers and those on fixed incomes to local businesses, inevitably causing significant mental and financial hardship and further straining our local economy," she said. Moorabool Shire Council Mayor Paul Tatchell said the change disproportionately impacted rural communities. "There are fairer ways to do this and it's a shame the Victorian government is using our rural property owners to claw back some of their huge debt," he said. Farmers in regional Victoria who already pay substantial rates in addition to volunteering say the new levy will add to their financial pressures. Central Victorian farmer and CFA volunteer Prue Milgate said drought-affected farmers were heartbroken about the ripple effect her community would face. "That money is what pays my sporting club, it's what pays my children's memberships to our excursions at the school," she said. "Most farming families … are already struggling because we've had very little rainfall Peter Shields, who has volunteered for 30 years as a CFA volunteer in Dookie, near Shepparton, says his fellow brigade members are throwing in the towel. "I was the only one at the pub last night that wasn't pulling out of the CFA," the former Nationals candidate said. "But I will not be turning up to any fire on government land." On Friday Premier Jacinta Allan said CFA volunteers and farmers in 24 shires eligible for state drought support would be "exempt" from having to pay the levy. But it was later revealed that CFA volunteer firefighters and farmers struggling through drought could apply for a rebate after paying the levy in full. That rebate would only apply to a single property. Ms Allan said every dollar raised would go back to emergency services and be reported on annually. Acting CFA chief officer Gary Cooks said firefighters were pleased the government added some exemptions for volunteers and drought-affected farmers. But Victorian Farmers Federal president Brett Hosking said it would be an arduous process for farmers and the CFA. "It's an incredibly large burden to place on the CFA, who have enough to worry about already," he said. Mr Hosking said the levy would prompt farmers to leave the industry and rural communities. "That's one less family employed in the community, less kids in the school, less people at the local shop and less people on the back of firefighting appliances," he said. Deakin University politics lecturer Geoff Robinson said the levy could have political ramifications for the state government. He said few farmers voted for Labor but some provincial seats held by the government could be impacted. "The government does face the potential perception that it is being seen as being very Melbourne-focused," he said. The government said the new tax was needed to fund emergency services to respond to an increasing number of calls for assistance for fires, floods and extreme weather events. Dr Robinson said the tax could be an example of the cost of dealing with climate change. "That puts pressure on all levels of government, particularly on state governments, because they have a limited taxation base as well and often struggle to finance important services," he said. Opposition agriculture spokeswoman Emma Kearley told ABC Radio Melbourne there needed to be more detail about the levy exemptions. "It's being oversold," she said.
Scoop
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
TTPP Costs Climb Again – But Commissioners' Fees Forecast To Drop
24 April Hearing Commissioner costs for the West Coast's new District Plan are still running ahead of budget - but their bill for the year now looks set to be less hefty than predicted. A meeting yesterday of the Tai o Poutini Plan committee yesterday heard that Commissioner costs were running more than half a million dollars over the year-to-date budget of $142,667. Consultant planners and contractors' fees were also over budget by $241,000. But project manager Jo Armstrong said she now expected the Commissioner-related costs to be nearly $450,000 less than forecast by next June. 'I have highlighted for most of the year that there would be insufficient budget for that Hearing Commissioner fee item…but I do think the full year forecast that I put forward earlier may have been overstated…so that's good news.' And [council] employee costs for the period were down by $92,000 - less than half the budget forecast. There has never been a fixed budget for the Plan. The West Coast Regional Council was ordered by the Local Government Commission to administer the lengthy process and has had to forecast costs as best it can, rating and borrowing to cover them as they arise. The TTPP committee's response to the 'good news' this week was muted. Its members - council leaders and iwi - were rocked last month by estimates that the 'one plan to rule them all' will have cost West Coasters more than $8 million by the time it's released in September. The independent commissioners who heard all the TTPP submissions and drove the length and breadth of the Coast to do it, are now working their way through its chapters, finalising the rules and writing their reports. The added expenses for the period had come about because of extra work and services that were unforeseen, Ms Armstrong explained. Media costs for advertising, expected to cost about $8000, had climbed to nearly $20,000. That was down to the need to notify a variation to the Natural Hazards chapter and call for further submissions after changes to the maps following a Lidar survey. And legal expenses, although less than predicted, came to $62,000 . 'We've been taking a lot of legal advice on different topics that the Hearings Commissioners requested …to make sure their recommendations are well-grounded,' Ms Armstrong said. A number of builders and developers around the West Coast are awaiting the release of the 'Decisions' version of the Plan in spring, with zoning changes expected to open up new areas of land for housing. One of the larger projects waiting for the green light is a 200-lot subdivision at Moana, that was submitted to the Grey District Council several years ago as a private plan change, but withdrawn in anticipation of the new Plan.
