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Children aged 6–11 years living with severe and uncontrolled asthma will now have more affordable access to a new treatment option, with Dupixent (dupilumab) added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 September 2025.
Dupixent is the first medicine that targets two proteins known to trigger inflammation in the airways, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), which are involved in what is known as type 2 inflammation. This inflammation underlies many cases of severe asthma that are difficult to manage with standard inhaled preventer and reliever medicines.
Under the PBS, eligible patients will pay a maximum of $7.70 for concession card holders or $31.60 for general patients per prescription.
A welcome step for children and families
Asthma Australia has welcomed the new listing, describing it as an important milestone for the sector, in providing greater options for children with severe asthma and their families.
Kate Miranda, CEO of Asthma Australia, said: “Asthma is the leading cause of disease burden in Australian children, disrupting daily life for thousands of families. Children with severe asthma often miss school, while parents miss work to provide care. Treatments like Dupixent offer hope in reducing this burden, improving quality of life for the youngest and most vulnerable Australians living with the condition.
“This PBS listing gives children with severe asthma a more sustainable pathway to treatment. While around 50 children have already accessed Dupixent through compassionate use, this change means potentially many more could access this treatment now supported through the PBS and available at an affordable cost to families.
“We know that children with severe asthma experience frequent hospital visits, ongoing symptoms and serious disruption to their daily lives. Access to targeted therapies like Dupixent may reduce this burden for eligible families.”
Clinical perspective
Assoc. Prof. Shivanthan Shanthikumar, Asthma Australia Paediatric Advisor, said: “Dupixent provides an important treatment option for specialist paediatric respiratory teams managing children with persistent and severe asthma symptoms. This PBS listing is a positive step forward.
“The long-term use of oral corticosteroids to treat severe asthma flare-ups in children, even repeated short courses, comes with serious lifelong risks. Biologics like Dupixent may allow some children to reduce their reliance on these medicines while maintaining better asthma control.
“While not suitable for all children with asthma, Dupixent may offer a much-needed treatment option for those with specific types of severe asthma under specialist care.”
About the listing
The PBS listing means that children with asthma aged 6–11 years with ‘type 2’ inflammation who remain uncontrolled despite optimised preventive treatment may now access Dupixent as an add-on maintenance therapy.
Dupixent is administered as an injection under the skin every four weeks (in most children) using a pre-filled pen, which can be given at home under clinical guidance.
Why this matters
Asthma remains the most common chronic respiratory illness among Australian children. For some children, symptoms persist despite following their Asthma Action Plan and taking prescribed medicines. Severe asthma can cause ongoing breathing difficulties, frequent symptoms and repeated hospital visits.
This PBS listing provides a new treatment pathway for children whose asthma remains uncontrolled due to underlying inflammation.
ENDS
For more information:
Contact Trinity Frederick, 0413 99 22 82
ABOUT
Asthma Australia is the nation’s peak body representing nearly 2.8 million Australians living with asthma. We’ve been here since 1962 and even though a lot has changed since then, asthma continues to claim a life each day and is the number one health condition burdening Aussie children. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways, restricting airflow and can be fatal. There is no cure, but most people with asthma can experience good control.
