PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY FUNDING MODEL TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

The launch today of the first “for-benefit” pharmaceutical company in Australia, will be provide 100% of profits to breast cancer research and support services.

For Benefit Medicines (FBM) has been established under a social enterprise model and its sole purpose is to distribute 100% of profits to patient support and medical research in Australia.

FBM’s first generic medicines are the hormone treatments for breast cancer, Letrozole FBM and Anastrozole FBM. Under the agreement with FBM, 50% of profits from the sale of these two products will be donated to the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia, the fundraising department of the Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG), and 50% to Breast Cancer Network Australia. The aim is to help support the ANZBCTG’s breast cancer clinical trials research program to identify new treatment and prevention strategies, and to help support people living with breast cancer.

Chair of the ANZBCTG, Professor Stephen Ackland, welcomed this unique funding model which is a first for Australia.

“It’s commendable that an Australian owned pharmaceutical company is making breast cancer support and research a priority, with the donation of its profits from the sale of two breast cancer hormonal treatments. It’s turning the idea of a profit driven business on its head and putting the focus on improved health outcomes in the community,” said Professor Ackland.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Australia and more than 15,600 women will be diagnosed this year. More breast cancer clinical trials research can be done with more funding, and this can help to save more lives from breast cancer.”

As part of FBM’s awareness campaign, FBM will write to doctors to provide information about their products. When writing a prescription, doctors may choose to add FBM after Letrozole and Anastrozole and tick ‘brand substitution not permitted’ on the prescription. FBM generic medications will cost the same as current breast cancer medications and are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Patients wanting to support the initiative should speak with their treating doctor.

The ANZBCTG is Australia’s national organisation dedicated entirely to breast cancer clinical trials research. It conducts a national clinical trials research program for the treatment, prevention and cure of breast cancer. The research program involves multicentre clinical trials and collaboration with 87 institutions and over 700 researchers throughout Australia and New Zealand. More than 14,000 women have participated in ANZBCTG breast cancer clinical trials. The ANZBCTG’s fundraising department is the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia.

More information about For Benefit Medicines is available at www.forbenefitmedicines.com.au

Media contact: Anna Fitzgerald, ANZBCTG Communications Manager