QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (14:49): I thank Senator Ananda-Rajah for her continuing interest in Australia's public health system. There is a simple principle at the heart of what we are doing, and it is this: when you are sick, you shouldn't have to worry about whether you can afford your medicine.
It's why our government did deliver the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS. Medicines on the PBS now cost no more than $25—and we haven't stopped there. Every month we are listing more cheaper medicines on the PBS so that Australians with serious and chronic conditions can access the treatments that they need.
From next month, that will include Australians living with a particular genetic form of motor neurone disease. Luke Edmondson is one of the Australians that will benefit from this cheaper medicine. Luke's story is that he was 28 when he was diagnosed with MND.
He had a new baby. He had just spent five years going through tests before genetic testing confirmed that he had the particular mutation in the SOD1 gene, and he described that diagnosis as 'a cloud hanging not over just my head, but my loved ones as well'. No government could ever take away exactly how hard a diagnosis like that is, but a government can make sure that, when a new treatment becomes available, the cost doesn't put it out of reach.
From 1 October, Qalsody will be listed on the PBS for Australians living with this particular genetic form. Without the PBS, it could cost up to $28,600 per script. With the PBS, eligible patients will pay no more than $25.
It's the second treatment for MND that's been listed on the PBS under our government. For Luke, and other Australians living with MND, we want to make sure that there are more treatments within reach. This is the difference that cheaper medicines can make, and this is what the Albanese Labor government will continue to deliver.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Ananda-Rajah, first supplementary?