AAP
Nicotine patches and other anti-smoking drugs will be subsidised by taxpayers as part of a federal government bid to help addicts kick the habit.
A $340 million package unveiled by the government will also pay for drugs to treat men with prostate conditions, bone marrow disease sufferers and patients with a rare blood disorder.
Concession card holders will be able to access patches to quit smoking under the Pharmaceutical Be
nefits Scheme (PBS) from February next year, the Ministry for Health announced.
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The plans were announced as part of a major drugs funding initiative to combat several different cancers.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the scheme was "world-leading".
"Cancer scars the lives of too many Australians and we know that reducing the smoking rate is one of the most effective ways to reduce the rate of death from this terrible disease," she said on Tuesday.
The extension of the anti-smoking drug varenicline (Champix) will also assist smokers wanting to quit.
Tens of thousands of Australians with prostate disease and bone marrow disorders will benefit with access to Dutasteride (Avodart) to treat benign prostate enlargement and Azacitidine (Vidaza) to help to extend the lives of people suffering from bone marrow disorders.
In addition, from January 1, Australians suffering from a rare blood disorder will have access to Soliris (eculizumab), used to treat the disorder paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria or PNH, through the Life Saving Drugs Program.
"I know this will be welcome Christmas news to those 73 patients across Australia needing access to this very expensive drug," Ms Roxon added.
© 2010 AAP