On 8 April we posted that Dinutuximab beta (QARZIBA), an immunotherapy treatment which we understand is makes a notable difference to survival rates for high risk neuroblastoma children, was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

This medicine was on the agenda for consideration by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in March. The committee found that as the drug will be administered as an in-patient treatment within hospitals (given its toxicity), it needs to be funded jointly by the Commonwealth and the States through the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA). Not the PBS.

The new submission has been referred to the July 2020 meeting of the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), who have assessed all previous applications for funding through the NHRA.

Thank you once again to all our families who took the time to provide submissions and we'll keep you updated as the process continues.

More information

• Dinutuximab-beta (qarziba) registration update
• Calling our neuroblastoma families