As of Thursday last week, October 1, the NSW government will cover the co-payments for public hospital patients receiving Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs and Section 100 injectable and infusible chemotherapy medicines.

The announcement could mean savings of up to several hundred dollars a month for chemotherapy patients.

In the lead up to the announcement, Merimbula breast cancer survivor, SueEllen Yates, passionately pursued politicians and spoke at conferences to advocate for the removal of co-payments for chemotherapy drugs.

She said she was “over the moon” to know the co-payments have finally been abolished. 

“I’m really happy and relieved that the government has finally taken up with the promise they made in March. This will make a huge difference for families and cancer patients.”

Chemotherapy treatment previously cost a cancer patient in NSW anywhere between $200 and $300 per session. 

“People don’t talk about the money when someone is fighting cancer. Now they won’t have to find hundreds of dollars for their life-saving treatment.”

Member for Bega Andrew Constance said the change also removes the co-payment for other highly specialised drugs.

“The removal of the co-payment will benefit patients living with conditions such as HIV, hepatitis, Alzheimer's disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, severe allergic asthma and rare diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis.”