Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hundreds of sick children are unfortunately being made to wait even longer to access a miracle drug because the government is not acting quickly enough. Trikafta, for those aged six to 11 years with cystic fibrosis, has been approved by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee but, unfortunately, in the PBAC minutes from the March meeting, page 26, the government is sending the drug back to the advisory committee 'to request reconsideration of the financial estimates for Trikafta for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients who are aged six to 11 years'. That's what the government has done. The Treasurer is here in the House. Treasurer, I implore you: we are talking about the lives of 500 young Australians here. I don't think a single person in Australia would question the Treasurer providing these young Australians and their families with hope. Scott from Paradise Point in my electorate told me that cystic fibrosis is a war. Every cold, flu or COVID case is a battle. He said, 'Every day that this drug is not available to the 500 or so kids aged six to 11 that need it is a day that we lose ground, we lose lung function and parents lose their sanity.' It's a war that at this stage these young children are losing. So, Treasurer, I implore you: there is no time like the present. PBAC has approved the drug for cystic fibrosis. Please approve Trikafta for ages six to 11.