Leading antiemetic Aloxi receives PBS approval

The popular Swiss-made antiemetic post-chemo drug Aloxi (palonosetron hydrochloride) has been approved for reimbursement under the PBS.

“Many of the international medical community regards this as the first choice anti-nausea drug for cancer patients following treatment,” said Carlo Montagner, CEO of Melbourne biotech Specialised Therapeutics Australia which has an exclusive licence to distribute the product in Australia and New Zealand.

“This PBS listing ensures Australian cancer patients affordable access to this leading treatment.”

“It enables a better quality of life for cancer patients and adds to our portfolio of leading oncology medications.”

Developed by Swiss pharmaceutical firm The Helsinn Group, Aloxi is currently the only drug of its class which is recommended specifically by the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), for moderately emetogenic chemotherapy3.

A second generation 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, the drug has higher receptor binding affinity and longer duration of its activity compared to first generation 5HT3 antagonists.

Chemotherapy patients are typically given one intravenous dose on the day of their treatment which then lasts for around five days.

Aloxi has been available in the USA since 2003. Currently it is approved in a total of 63 countries, last year generating annual sales of around $US400 million.

Aloxi is PBS approved for the management of nausea and vomiting associated with cytotoxic chemotherapy being used to treat malignancy which occurs within 48 hours of chemotherapy administration.