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Patients Welcome New Parkinson’s Treatment PBS Listing

by | Aug 12, 2025 | Health, Media Release | 0 comments

Australians living with Parkinson’s are welcoming the Federal Government’s listing today of a new Parkinson’s treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The new treatment, VYALEV® (foslevodopa with foscarbidopa), is administered under the skin via a 24-hour infusion and is now available under the PBS, following a tireless campaign from advocacy group Parkinson’s Australia.

The treatment helps restore dopamine levels in the brain to reduce on and off periods that can persist for patients under traditional oral therapies.

It gained Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval last year but was unaffordable for most patients.

Olivia Nassaris, CEO Parkinson’s Australia said the decision reflects the important role the community has in shaping PBS priorities: “Parkinson’s Australia has advocated for access to VYALEV® in Australia to ensure people living with advanced Parkinson’s have a wider choice of treatments that can help improve daily living,” she said. “Throughout this process consumer voices have been vital in helping decision makers understand the impacts of living with Parkinson’s. We are delighted the Australian Government has made this treatment affordable and available for the Parkinson’s community.”

Young Onset Parkinson’s patient Craig Gillespie said the treatment has the potential to be life changing. “Oral medications have begun to lose their efficacy for me,” Craig said. “I have lots of on and off periods. This new treatment will mean I can be a better dad, a better husband and stay in the workforce longer.”

Participant in the treatment’s trial Paula Argy vouched for the transformative effects. “This has given me another chance for life after living with Parkinson’s for more than 30 years,” Paula said. “After being housebound for five years I’ve regained my mobility and independence. I hope the listing of this treatment will provide other Australians the same chance to regain quality of life.”

Ms Nassaris said the organisation worked relentlessly to achieve the PBS listing for people living with Parkinson’s in Australia. “I want to thank the Australians who gave us the honour of telling their stories as we campaigned for this result,” she said. “We presented impact statements not just from those living with Parkinson’s but family and friends who had also seen the changes in their loved ones trialling VYALEV®.

We also told the stories of people living with Parkinson’s who had no other alternatives for advanced treatments – Australians living in hope that VYALEV® would go on the PBS.”

Media Release: Parkinson’s Australia

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