New PBS listing for blood clot preventing medicine

Australians diagnosed with a heart attack or sudden extreme chest pain (conditions referred to as Acute Coronary Syndromes), will have access to a treatment option approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and repeat events.

As of 1 August 2012 the oral anti-platelet treatment called BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). BRILINTA, taken as a tablet twice a day in combination with aspirin, works by preventing the formation of new blood clots and maintaining blood flow in the body.

“We know coronary heart disease remains Australia’s number one killer,” said Professor Philip Aylward, Cardiologist and Director of the Division of Medicine, Cardiac and Critical Care services at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide.

“Those fortunate to survive a cardiovascular event remain at increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes once they leave hospital and over time.”

In 2010, nearly 75,000 Australians were hospitalised due to Acute Coronary Syndromes with over a third of these due to repeat events.

(Source: The Media Game)