GSK Australia is pleased to announce that Zejula (niraparib) has been listed, for the first time, on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Zejula has been funded for the treatment of women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer who have a BRCA mutation.
The survival rate for women in Australia with ovarian cancer still remains just half that of breast cancer (48% versus 92% after 5 years).1,3 This means of those ~1700 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia every year, the equivalent of 850 women will lose their fight to the disease by 2027.1
While the BRCA gene type is present in all women, certain mutations in these genes increase the likelihood of developing cancer.4 Additionally, some women have a BRCA mutation in their tumour only. Given the link between ovarian cancer and BRCA mutations, it is important for women diagnosed to consider seeking BRCA testing.
Approximately 25% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will have a BRCA mutation5 – meaning that Zejula will provide ~400 of these vulnerable women every year with a new, fully funded treatment option.
Due to non-specific symptoms and a lack of accurate testing to identify the disease at an early stage, unfortunately most women are diagnosed when ovarian cancer is advanced, making it challenging to treat with limited options available.6
Zejula is a medicine taken as capsules once a day and is a poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor (more commonly known as a PARP inhibitor), which works by stopping proteins in the body from repairing ovarian cancer cells, causing them to die – which then helps to control the cancer.7
“There is currently an unacceptable disparity in survival rates for women with ovarian cancer when looking at other cancers like breast, and we should not sit comfortably with the state of play,” said Prof. Martin Oehler, Gynaecological Oncologist at Burnside Hospital, Adelaide. “We require new treatment options for women suffering with this insidious disease, which is why the funding of Zejula is such an important step forward.”
“Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, even for women who have a genetic link in their family,” said Sarah Powell, CEO of the patient support group Pink Hope. “Any additional treatment options are to be welcomed and we’re grateful to the Government for reimbursing this treatment. We know that there is more to be done to improve outcomes for all women diagnosed with this difficult challenging disease but are hopeful for the future with today’s news.”
“GSK is proud to have brought Zejula to women in Australia who are in desperate need of more treatment options,” said Patrick Desbiens, General Manager of GSK Australia & New Zealand. “GSK is determined to improve outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers. We are focusing our science, technology and people on this area where we can make a big impact.”
About Zejula Zejula is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced high-grade ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) following completion of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Zejula is now funded for women newly diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer with a BRCA mutation. Please see zejula_cmi_au.pdf (gsk.com)
