Kids offered hope as cancer medicines made cheaper

Sick kids have been given fresh hope as new cancer medications and treatments are made cheaper.

Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Monday new medicines have been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The changes mean eligible patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or $7.70 with a concession card.

These include Selumetinib (Koselugo) which treats inoperable benign nerve tumours in children two years and over.

About 170 children are expected to benefit. Without the subsidy, families could be expected to fork out about $146,000 per year of treatment.

Mr Butler said providing Australians with cheaper medicines was central to the federal government, and the benefits scheme sat beside other "proud" Labor social reforms.

"These PBS listings are yet another example – providing new help and new hope to Australian kids and adults – help and hope they would otherwise miss out on because of the exorbitant cost," he said. "These listings are further demonstration of our commitment to ensuring all Australians can get affordable access to the medicines they need, when they need them."

Extra funding for 227 new and amended listings on the scheme has been approved by the government since July 2022.