Australians suffering from a severe form of eczema will now have access to a life changing medicine through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said this is bringing further support to patients and their families.

From the start of this month the medicine Dupixent® (dupilumab) will be available to Australians over 12 years of age living with severe atopic dermatitis (also referred to as eczema) who are not adequately controlled on topical therapy.

The Government will invest over $270 million in this new PBS medicine listing with more than 3,600 people expected to benefit each year.

Without PBS subsidy people might otherwise pay around $22,800 a year to access this life changing medicine.

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the skin, causing redness, itching and sometimes infections.

Dupixent® is a new targeted medicine that stops the body’s immune system overreacting and producing more inflammation than is normal.

Until now, treatment of severe atopic dermatitis has focused on reducing inflammation through use of intensive topical skin treatments and broad-based systemic immunosuppressant therapies that can have widespread effects on the body.

This listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,550 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $12.6 billion.