When a new cancer treatment becomes available, Australia uses a process called Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to help determine whether it should be subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). These decisions can affect how quickly people can access new medicines and whether they can afford them.

MBC Action Australia is proud to be participating in The Faces of HTA Reform campaign, led by the Patient Voice Initiative. The campaign highlights the real-world impact that decisions about medicine funding and access can have on people living with serious illness.

Two members of our MBC community, Amy Hickman and Larissa Erzetich, have shared their personal experiences of living with MBC and the importance of timely access to treatment.

Their stories demonstrate why the voices of people with lived experience should be considered when decisions are made about access to medicines in Australia.