The Federal Government has announced a medicine used to treat chronic nerve pain will be made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

 

Federal Health Minister said the Government’s decision to list the medicine pregabalin (Lyrica) through the PBS has come at a cost of $447 million over five years and will stand to benefit around 270,000 Australians.

 

“This listing will be a great relief to hundreds of thousands of Australians who suffer from chronic nerve pain,” said Ms Plibersek. 



“Sufferers of chronic nerve pain complain of a severe burning, shooting pain, like an electric shock. It can be so debilitating that it affects people’s capacity to work and go about their daily lives.” 

 

Ms Plibersek said pregabalin was the first PBS listing specifically for this condition, which has a variety of causes and symptoms, and which can be difficult to treat. 



“The medicine provides an alternative treatment to opioid medications, which can have significant side effects, and are considered a last resort.”