Australia - thalidomide now available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

J · medicine forum Guru Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 612

<http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Thalidomide-now-on-PBS-for-cancer/2006/01/17/1137466983121.html>

Thalidomide now on PBS for cancer
January 17, 2006 - 5:35PM

The controversial drug thalidomide is now available through the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for sufferers of a type of blood cancer.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Ageing said the Therapeutic
Goods Administration (TGA) had approved the drug for use to treat the
cancer multiple myeloma in 2003.

"The next step with any drug is to go to the PBS," she said.

The drug was originally used in Australia in the late 1950s and early
1960s to treat morning sickness and as a sedative but was taken off market
around the world after it caused birth defects and miscarriages.

"The drug fell into disrepute because of miscarriages and its effect on
the unborn child, however over the years it has been found to be very
effective drug for other things," she said.

The spokeswoman said the drug now comes with a strict warning not to be
used by pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, or the male
partners of women who are planning to become pregnant, she said.

"The TGA approved the drug under strict regulations," she said.

She said the cancer the drug was used to treat usually occurred in
patients over the age of 60.

http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/adec/adec_history.htm
History of the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee

http://www.tga.gov.au/index.htm Therapeutic Goods Administration
(Australian Government)
Home
Medicines
- Prescription
- Over-the-counter
- Complementary
Medical devices
Blood & tissues
Manufacturing
Legislation
Recalls & alerts
Report problems
Chemicals
Gene technology
Publications

Google