1 October 2024 – Australians living with two of the leading causes of vision loss will receive subsidised access to a new injectable eye treatment for the first time.1,2
From 1 October, EYLEA (aflibercept) 8mg will become available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for approximately 11,000 Australians with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) or diabetic macular oedema (DMO).1,3
Without the subsidy, EYLEA 8mg would cost around $5,500 each year.4 Under the PBS, eligible patients will pay just $7.70 (pension and concession card holders) or $31.60 (general patients) each month.5
The PBS listing comes at a time when eye injections are one of the most common medical procedures in Australia7 and one-in-six Australians with age-related macular degeneration will experience vision loss.8
EYLEA 8mg belongs to a class of medicines known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. The medicine works to block the growth of abnormal blood vessels and decrease the ability of fluid to pass through blood vessels in the eyes.9
It is injected directly into the eye under a local anaesthetic, and initially administered once every month for 3 months. Based on the patient’s response to treatment, the doctor will determine the timing of subsequent injections.9
EYLEA 2mg has been available through the PBS for Australians with wAMD and DMO since 2012.1
Additional information on EYLEA 8mg
The most common side effects in people receiving EYLEA 8mg are bloodshot eye, eye pain, clouding of the lens (cataract), increased pressure within the eye, membrane detachment, or moving spots in vision.9
EYLEA is not suitable for patients with hypersensitivity to the medicine or other substances in the formulation. This medicine should be not given if there is suspicion of or ongoing infection in or around the eye or severe inflammation of the eye.9
Further information about Eylea 8mg is available in the Consumer Medicines Information.
About Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO)
AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness in Australia,6 and wet AMD is the most aggressive form of the disease.2
wAMD is a retinal disease that may affect people as they age. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and leak fluid into the macula (the very centre of the retina), the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision and seeing fine detail. Loss of central vision makes it hard to read, drive or even recognise faces.2,8 Central vision changes are often sudden and severe. An estimated 160,000 Australians are living with wAMD.6
DMO is a complication of diabetic retinopathy that affects the eyes. It occurs when the blood vessels in the retina become increasingly fragile and leak fluid, which can lead to central vision loss. It is estimated that there are 87,000 Australians living with diabetic macular oedema.6
About Bayer in Australia
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care, nutrition and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. The company has operated in Australia since 1925 and has a long-term commitment to the health and nutrition of all Australians. Locally, Bayer employs almost 900 people across the country and is dedicated to servicing the needs of rural and remote communities. Bayer embraces and encourages its employees’ unique identities and advances a culture of inclusion and diversity across gender, LGBTQI+, generations, disability and race. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.au.
Media Contacts:
Rebecca Anable (0404 019 323) at Ethical Strategies; or
Amy Appleton (0497 863 707) at Bayer.
From 1 October 2024
EYLEA® 8mg is listed on the PBS for |
Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) |
References
1. Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits. From 1 October 2024, available at: https://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/
2. Macular Disease Foundation. About Macular Disease, 2024. Last accessed September 2024.
3. Bayer Australia. Data on File – EYLEA 8mg PBS Patient Eligibility. 2024.
4. Bayer Australia. Data on File – Private Prescription Cost of EYLEA 8mg. 2024.
5. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. About the PBS. 2024. Last accessed August 2024.
6. Macular Disease Foundation Australia. Saving Sight Saves Money: Addressing treatment access and affordability in macular disease, 2024.
7. Broadhead, G. et al. Injections in the back of the eye: The why, the what and when to worry, Australian Journal of General Practice, 2004, 53(7): doi: 10.31128/AJGP-08-23-6944.
8. Macular Disease Foundation Australia. About Macular Disease: Age-related Macular Degeneration, 2024. Last accessed September 2024.
9. Bayer Australia. EYLEA Consumer Medicine Information. 2024.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
Bayer Australia Pty Ltd, ABN 22 000 1 38 714, 875 Pacific Highway, Pymble NSW 2073.
Ph: (02) 9391 6000. Date of Preparation: September 2024. COR-EYL-AU-0014-1.