VIVA! Communications congratulates the Department of Health for its publication of the long-awaited ‘Procedure guidance for medicines funded through the Government’s Life Savings Drugs Program (LSDP) – Version 1.0’.

The procedural reform guidance outlines the consideration process for new life saving drugs, and medication reviews, among various other items.

VIVA! Communications has a longstanding history with the LSDP, having worked tirelessly with two patient advocacy groups, to lobby the government to fund treatments for the ultra-rare blood diseases, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH) – and atypical haemoloytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), respectively. We succeeded with securing funding for eculizumab through the LSDP, and later for securing funding for the same drug with a different indication, through the PBS, when the LSDP was frozen.

We trust the Procedure guidance will heighten transparency and clarity around the funding consideration process for new medications to be added to the LDSP. We also welcome the pending announcement of the LSDP Expert Panel that will be charged with the responsibility of funding treatments for ultra-rare diseases, and ultimately, saving Australian lives.