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Author: OfficeAdmin

Heart Support Australia applauds Minister for Health for PBS listing of Camzyos for Cardiomyopathy

Posted on by OfficeAdmin
The costs of the two lifesaving heart medicines have been slashed after they were added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Previously treatment for the two kinds of heart disorder cardiomyopathy, which together affect around 4800 Australians, could cost patients up to $122,000.
Now patients will only have to pay $31.60 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.
Today it was announced that the cost of Camzyos, a treatment for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a kind of heart disease, will be subsidised.
Around 3600 Australians suffer from the disease, Health Minister Mark Butler said.
But the Camzyos manufacturers believe many cases of the disorder could be undiagnosed and under-untreated.
More than 60,000 Australians, or one in 400 people, could be living with the heart disorder, the Camzyos manufacturers Bristol Myers Squibb said.
The disease causes the heart muscle to become thicker and less flexible, making it harder for the heart to fill and pump blood.
Without the newly added government subsidy, Camzyos could cost patients around $30,000 per year of treatment.
Now that they have been listed on the PBS, eligible patients will be able to pay only the cost of the script, instead of the massive upfront cost for the treatment.
Heart Support Australia chief executive Dr Christian Verdicchio welcomed the new government subsidy.
“To date, there have been limited medical treatment options for this disease,” he said.
“Knowing Australians now have access to a new treatment option is important news for this patient group”.
Tafamadis (also known as Vyndamax), another of the newly listed drugs, is used to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy – a rare heart disease that can present as shortness of breath and fatigue.
Around 1200 Australians are affected by the disease, which can lead to heart failure if left untreated.
The newly listed treatment works by slowing the progression of the disease, and preventing a build-up of thickened heart muscles.
The lifesaving drug had its cost cut from $122,000 for a year of treatment on May 1.
“It’s vitally important that Australians have ready and affordable access to the latest treatments,” Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said.
“By listing Vyndamax and Camzyos on the PBS we’re giving patients and their doctors new options for treatment at an affordable price.
 “It’s part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to keep medicines cheaper for Australians.”
 
For the full article by 9News click here below.

 
 

HSA Opens Peer Support Group in Alice Springs

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Heart Support Australia (HSA) is opening their inaugural Northern Territory Peer Support Group in Alice Springs on Tuesday 20 February, giving post-heart event support for cardiac patients in
the area.

The HSA Peer Support Groups are unique communal support programs that offer comfort and
guidance to those who have recently undergone a heart event and for those who have
experienced heart conditions and rehabilitation.

HSA CEO Dr Christian Verdicchio says, “Unfortunately, far too often when people are
diagnosed with or undergo treatment for a heart condition, they don’t have ongoing support and
that can be incredibly isolating.”

“Our support groups are designed to ensure our patients are staying on the path to a healthier
life by making it known to them that they are not alone because they are interacting with their leader and group members who have gone through similar circumstances,” he says.

Leading the Alice Springs Peer Support Group is Centralian Senior College teacher Matt Skoss who was attacked by over 30 bees while helping a local beekeeper over the Easter break in 2023.

“They found the gaps in my old gardening gloves, resulting in a heart attack,” Matt says.

“I was rushed to the ED at Alice Springs Hospital, which did a sterling job to stabilise me. Next morning I was transferred to Adelaide with the RFDS where an angiogram confirmed the need for a double bypass,” he says.

Matt missed three school terms in a recovery that took a long time for his energy levels to return to normal. Now he is “giving back” to the community of family, friends and colleagues that were
a “big factor” helping him resume his pre-heart event lifestyle.

“Cardiac events are often unexpected and provide a real ‘jolt’ to your life. Being able to facilitate the sharing of experiences and provide support to other people recovering from cardiac events
is a way of helping people and that’s why I’m proud to be the leader of the group in Alice
Spring,” Matt concludes.

The peer support program initiative derives from a new era of managing heart disease that empowers heart patients with education, improved self-esteem, and larger support networks that result in less of a strain on our health system with fewer hospital stays and trips to the GP.

The Alice Springs Peer Support Group takes place on the third Tuesday of each month at the
50 Plus Community Centre, Anzac Oval, 11 Wills Terrace from 4 – 5pm.

Heart Support Australia encourages people to get involved with the community support session
by RSVPing here or by getting in touch with group leader Matt Skoss by emailing
matt.skoss@gmail.com or by calling 0418 624 631.

HSA Opens Peer Support Group in Caboolture

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Heart Support Australia’s (HSA) Peer Support Group in Caboolture has a new leader with the groups starting back on Saturday 17 February.

The HSA Peer Support Groups give post-heart event support for cardiac patients, they are unique communal support programs that offer comfort and guidance to those who have recently undergone a heart event and for those who have experienced heart conditions and rehabilitation.

HSA CEO Dr Christian Verdicchio says, “Unfortunately, far too often when people are diagnosed with or undergo treatment for a heart condition, they don’t have ongoing support and that can be incredibly isolating.

“Our support groups are designed to ensure our patients are staying on the path to a healthier life by making it known to them that they are not alone because they are interacting with their leader and group members who have gone through similar circumstances,” he says.

Leading the Caboolture Peer Support Group for the first time is Cassie O’Brien who was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth and as a result, was not expected to live past the age of three.

“I had two open heart surgeries, one at 18 months and the second at three years old,” Cassie says.

“I survived both and have just turned 40,” she says.

In Australia, around nine in every 1,000 babies are affected by congenital heart disease.

Cassie has been a member of HSA for over 10 years, finding that living with a chronic illness while being a mother is a much harder task than most realise.

At twenty years old Cassie gave birth to her only son against all odds.

“I was told I shouldn’t have another kid and I spent three months in hospital recovering from the impact childbirth had on my heart,” Cassie says.

“I felt lost trying to navigate how to raise a child while chronically ill – there is no user manual for that.”

As HSA’s youngest Peer Support Group leader, Cassie aims to be an outlet for people who have gone through or are going through heart issues.

“It’s hard for people to fully understand what it’s like to be a heart patient unless you’ve been through it yourself – it is alienating to live with heart disease,” she says.

“There’s a different kind of support from people who have experienced what you have experienced first-hand.

“It’s a safe space where you can just vent – all those crappy hospital appointments, new
medications, new testings, the group is for people to meet people they can call or catch up for a coffee and share their experiences,” Cassie concludes.

The peer support program initiative derives from a new era of managing heart disease that empowers heart patients with education, improved self-esteem, and larger support networks that result in less of a strain on our health system with fewer hospital stays and trips to the GP.

Christian continues, “Heart Support Australia would like to extend a huge thank you to former leaders Steve Dunchouk and Cecil Nielson, who finished up with us last year. They have helped countless heart patients in the local community feel supported in their recovery for the last 20 years.”

The Caboolture Peer Support Group session will take place on Saturday 17 February and then the second Saturday of each month thereafter at the Bronze Room, Caboolture Sports Central.

Heart Support Australia encourages people to get involved with the community support session by getting in touch with group leader Cassie O’Brien at cassieobrien@outlook.com.au or 0416 688 452.

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