UPDATE JUNE 2021 - QARZIBA APPROVED FOR FUNDING

QARZIBA was recently reviewed and recommended by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for patients diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma after it was passed on by Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). As a result, EUSA Pharma which makes QARZIBA (dinutuximab beta) has now signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Government for the reimbursement of the supply of Qarziba. The final step to the reimbursement of Qarziba is working out the supply arrangements at State and hospital level. We are hopeful each state will quickly agree the reimbursement for this important treatment. Find more information about QARZIBA for neuroblastoma here.

Information for families

In order for you to understand the most important information regarding therapy with QARZIBA, the following points are summarised in the brochure provided, particularly:

• What is high-risk neuroblastoma?
• What is immunotherapy?
• How does QARZIBA work?
• How is QARZIBA administered?
• Which potential side effects could occur during the treatment?
• How can you and your child cope with the illness?

You can access the brochure by clicking here.

Background

EUSA Pharma is pursuing registration and funding for Qarziba in Australia with the help of local firms Emerge Health and KMC Healthcare. 

This medicine, also known as Dinutuximab-beta, an anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma in patients aged 12 months and above who have previously received induction chemotherapy and achieved at least a partial response followed by myeloablative therapy and stem cell transplantation, as well as patients with history of relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma, with or without residual disease.

The full notes regarding Qarziba can be found on the registration application on the TGA website under Emerge Health Pty Ltd. 

Registration - Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Determination is a formal process that allows the Australian Government's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to make a decision regarding whether a medicine is eligible for registration. 

The sponsor of the medicine must submit an application for determination to allow the TGA to make a decision on whether the medicine meets the eligibility criteria. These eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that only products providing the most benefit to patients are eligible.

Eligibility criteria are published through the TGA website.

Funding - Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) 

The PBAC is an independent expert body appointed by the Australian Government. Members include doctors, health professionals, health economists and consumer representatives.

Its primary role is to recommend new medicines for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). No new medicine can be listed unless the committee makes a positive recommendation. 

The PBAC meets three times a year, usually in March, July and November.

PBAC recommended QARZIBA for high risk neuroblastoma patients.

Keep up to date 

• Key research areas
• Why funding research is so important
• Current research projects funded by Neuroblastoma Australia
• Clinical trials