Last updated on 28/03/2021

There has been big wins for people with asthma today with two new medications to be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

From Thursday 1 April eligible Australians will be able to access Dupixent (dupliumab) for the treatment of severe asthma, and the triple therapy Enerzair Breezhaler (indacaterol, glycopyrronium and mometasone).

We thank Minister for Health the Hon Greg Hunt who continues to show strong support for people with asthma through PBS listings, particularly monoclonal antibody therapies which offer a life-changing treatment for people with the debilitating form of asthma known as severe asthma.

2.7 million Australians live with asthma with approximately 81,000 – 270,000 affected by severe asthma.

It is a life-threatening, debilitating condition of the lungs that is difficult to treat. When uncontrolled, it places a constant burden and risk on a person’s life.

For a person with severe asthma, finding the right combination of treatments can be an enduring and expensive exercise, including countless hospitalisations and serious setbacks.

Dupixent (dupilumab)

Asthma Australia welcomes Dupixent (dupliumab), a new monoclonal antibody therapy for people who live with severe uncontrolled asthma caused by type 2 inflammation (allergic or eosinophilic).

Dupixent (dupliumab) treatment should be prescribed by a specialist experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, for adults and adolescents 12 years and over, and presents another treatment option, now within greater reach of more Australians through the PBS listing. The medication is also suitable for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) and has also recently been listed under the PBS for this indication.

To read more about Dupixent (dupliumab) and its treatment of severe uncontrolled asthma, please click through to a joint media release by Sanofi and Asthma Australia here.

Enerzair Breezhaler

Asthma Australia welcomes Enerzair Breezhaler, the first triple therapy in fixed dose combination to be made available in Australia for people with difficult to treat asthma. Enerzair Breezhaler contains the active ingredients (indacaterol, glycopyrronium, mometasone furoate). People prescribed this medication for the management of their asthma will need to take it once per day, every day for this medicine to be effective.

This medication can be prescribed by a doctor and is only suitable for patients 18 years and older.

Asthma Australia will be providing more information about Enerzair Breezhaler via the Know Your Options webpage here.

To view the Minister’s Media Release on the PBS announcements, click here.