Toddlers and preschoolers with cystic fibrosis can now have "life changing" medicine for a fraction of the price their families would usually pay.
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A yearly course of Trikafta costs about $250,000 without any subsidies but children aged two to five will now be eligible for the medication through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from August 1.
One baby is born every four days with cystic fibrosis and more than 3,700 Australians had the inherited condition as of 2022, according to Cystic Fibrosis Australia.
It causes mucus in lungs and other organs becoming thick, leading to breathing issues, infections and damage.
The federal government expects about 330 children per year to benefit from the listing which will help them access treatment earlier, as until now cheaper prescriptions were only available to those aged six and over.
The price of a script will be capped at $31.60 or $7.70 for concession card holders.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Jo Armstrong applauded those had been "campaigning tirelessly" for the medicine to be available to younger children.
"Our voices have been heard and another 330 Aussie kids will now have the opportunity to live healthier, longer lives," she said.
"It's not a cure, but it's a great step in the right direction."
Health Minister Mark Butler agreed the "life changing" medication was too expensive for most families to contemplate until now.
"Families with a diagnosis of CF can literally breathe easier," he said.
"For kids who reap the full benefit of these treatments, they will be able to live and play, and plan for long, happy lives, just like their friends who weren't born with a faulty gene."
Australian Associated Press
