PENSIONERS and battlers on low incomes will save hundreds of dollars a year from a Gillard government subsidy to slash the cost of buying patches and pills to help quit smoking.
It could mean the cost of buying nicotine patches at the chemist would drop from about $140 a month to just $5.40 a script.
Cancer Council CEO Ian Olver said: "We are very pleased with this decision because it will make nicotine replacement therapy available to socially disadvantaged groups who will benefit most from giving up smoking."
Responding to the use of taxpayer subsidies for smokers, Mr Olver said that the cost of subsidies was far outweighed by savings to the health system.
"This is the usual problem of balancing a short-term expenditure for a long-term gain.
"The burden of disease that smoking causes costs us an enormous amount of money each year," he said.
He said lost productivity in the workforce from smoking was also a problem.
Massive savings also will be announced today by Health Minister Nicola Roxon for thousands of patients needing expensive prostate and bone marrow drugs.
The $320 million package from the Government includes a victory for sufferers of a rare blood disorder.
Jenny Sturrock, whose plight was revealed in the Herald Sun in August when she made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, burst into tears when the Government last night called to say the life-saving drug she needed would be subsidised from January 1.
Ms Sturrock is one of just 73 Australians who suffers from the blood disorder paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.
She needs the life-saving Soliris - one of the world's most expensive drugs, which can cost more than $500,000 a year. It will now cost just $33.60 a script.
"It's nothing short of giving me the gift of life. It's a Christmas miracle," she told the Herald Sun.
"This drug saves our lives."
"This drug saves our lives."
Ms Sturrock, 29, who was struck down with the disease in January, said she had a "fantastic" meeting with Ms Gillard and Ms Roxon in Canberra three weeks ago.
The disease destroys her red blood cells and she needs a three-litre blood transfusion every month. One in three patients dies within five years of diagnosis.
Ms Roxon said it would be financed under the Life Saving Drugs Program.
"I know this will be welcome Christmas news to those 73 patients across Australia needing access to this expensive drug," she said.
Stepping up the war against smoking, the Government will give concession card holders access to nicotine transdermal patches, such as Nicorette, Nicabate P and Nicotinell, under the pharmaceutical benefits scheme from February 1.
It could mean the cost of buying nicotine patches at the chemist would drop from about $140 a month (depending on the strength and type of patch) to just $5.40 a script.
The patches must be prescribed by a GP - some of whom may even write a script for one month's supply.
The Government will also extend the subsidy on the anti-smoking drug varenicline (Champix), from a 12-week course to 24 weeks.
It is part of Ms Roxon's crusade to encourage 70,000 people a year to quit smoking.
The Government dramatically increased the tax on cigarettes in May and pushed for plain packaging.
"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," Ms Roxon said.
About 84,000 men a year are expected to benefit from the decision to subsidise the drug Dutasteride (Avodart), which is used to treat benign prostate enlargement and reduce the likelihood of surgery.
It currently costs about $132 for six months but from February 1 the price will be $33.60 a script.
And 670 people diagnosed each year with bone marrow disorders will see big savings for Azacitidine (Vidaza) to help extend their lives.
It costs $80,000 for 12 months but will now cost $33.60 a script. The total cost of the subsidies will be $320 million over four years.
Ms Roxon said it would be financed under the Life Saving Drugs Program.
"I know this will be welcome Christmas news to those 73 patients across Australia needing access to this expensive drug," she said.
Stepping up the war against smoking, the Government will give concession card holders access to nicotine transdermal patches, such as Nicorette, Nicabate P and Nicotinell, under the pharmaceutical benefits scheme from February 1.
It could mean the cost of buying nicotine patches at the chemist would drop from about $140 a month (depending on the strength and type of patch) to just $5.40 a script.
The patches must be prescribed by a GP - some of whom may even write a script for one month's supply.
The Government will also extend the subsidy on the anti-smoking drug varenicline (Champix), from a 12-week course to 24 weeks.
It is part of Ms Roxon's crusade to encourage 70,000 people a year to quit smoking.
The Government dramatically increased the tax on cigarettes in May and pushed for plain packaging.
"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," Ms Roxon said.
About 84,000 men a year are expected to benefit from the decision to subsidise the drug Dutasteride (Avodart), which is used to treat benign prostate enlargement and reduce the likelihood of surgery.
It currently costs about $132 for six months but from February 1 the price will be $33.60 a script.
And 670 people diagnosed each year with bone marrow disorders will see big savings for Azacitidine (Vidaza) to help extend their lives.
It costs $80,000 for 12 months but will now cost $33.60 a script. The total cost of the subsidies will be $320 million over four years.
BY : Herald Sun
