Facial Lipoatrophy (FLA) is one of the most devastating adverse effects of HIV treatment, which not only has a physical impact on patients, but also results in depression, social isolation and stigmatisation. Treatment with Sculptra safely and effectively restores facial fullness, returning patients to a normal appearance and thereby improving their quality of life (QoL).

As such, in direct response to people living with FLA, our fellow pharmaceutical companies (specifically the manufacturer's of HIV anti-retrovirals), the community, HIV specialists, clinicians and the support organisations such as NAPWHA and ACON, sanofi-aventis have submitted Sculptra to be considered for reimbursement by the PBS. This submission will be considered at the upcoming PBAC Meeting on 05/06 November.

You may now be aware, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) Meeting Agenda has been published and for the first time, is now open for comment from the general public.

Under this new initiative, individual patients/carers/families, consumer groups, clinicians and other members of the general public have the opportunity to explain how they, their family, friends and carers would benefit from the PBS listing of a medicine (or device) that is being considered at the next PBAC meeting.

This opportunity is open for a two week period only and involves completing an online form where people are encouraged to provide their views on a number of specific areas that the PBAC will consider when making a decision about the particular medicine or device - for example, Sculptra. This is the first time that patients, clinicians and the wider community have been given the opportunity to provide direct input to the PBAC decision-making process, and it is very encouraging that the Government are inviting the views of patients, families and the wider community into this process.

The online form is located at this address:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/PBAC_online_submission_form