Image: patient receiving a blood transfusion, something that Momelotinib use hopes to minimise

NOTE: CLOSING DATE FOR PATIENT INPUT – 25 SEPTEMBER

What is momelotinib and how does it work?

Momelotinib is a JAK inhibitor, similar to Ruxolitinib. Ruxolitinib is the standard of care for eligible myelofibrosis patients.
Momelotinib, however, has been shown to tackle the issue of anaemia. It blocks an additional receptor on cancer cells, which can mean an increase in the number of red blood cells available.

Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is currently considering the inclusion of Momelotinib (known as Omjjara) onto the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), so it is affordable for all eligible patients.

Momelotinib is already approved and available to patients in the US and Europe, but has not been formally registered in Australia by our regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). We understand this is being progressed at the moment.

The Federal Government is being asked to include Momelotinib on the PBS if used ‘for the treatment of intermediate or high-risk primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythaemia vera myelofibrosis or post-essential thrombocythaemia myelofibrosis in patients with moderate to severe anaemia who are JAK inhibitor naïve or have been treated with ruxolitinib.’

Patient input to PBS sought by 25 September

To help the Government in its considerations, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is now taking consumer comments until 25 September.

The MPN AA is supportive of this drug being available on the PBS – as it provides MF patients who have anaemic myelofibrosis with another treatment option.

Making a submission to the PBAC is a way for myelofibrosis patients to have a voice by explaining how having access to this treatment could impact on their own quality of life.

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Step-by-step guide on how to provide input to the PBS 

COMMENTS DUE BY 25 September

1. The public consultation survey for the November 2024 PBAC meeting can be accessed via this link: https://ohta-consultations.health.gov.au/ohta/pbac-nov-2024/.
2. On Page 2, enter your name and contact details and select the category that best describes your reason for input. There are several categories, including for health professionals, but those we believe are more relevant for patients are:
   – Individual who would like to access the medicine to treat own health condition
   – Parent, partner or another person directly caring for an individual from the above group
   – Consumer group/organisation submission
   – Other interested individual (including family members, friends, or members of the public interested in the medicine but not directly caring for an individual currently using or wanting access to the medicine)
3. At Question 7, select ‘Momelotinib – Omjjara®: Myelofibrosis with moderate to severe anaemia’ for the medicine you are providing input on.
4. On Page 3, provide your input by answering the questions below in the free text boxes OR by attaching a PDF or Word file at the bottom of the page.
   a.  Please outline your experience with the medical/health condition
   b.  How is the medical/health condition currently treated?
   c.  What do you see as the advantages of this proposed medicine, in particular for those with the medical condition and/or
   family and carers?
   d.  What do you see as the main disadvantages of this proposed medicine?
5. On Page 4, please declare any conflicts of interest relevant to the responses provided in Pages 2 or 3.
6. When you have completed the form, select ‘Submit Response’ on Page 5. You will be sent a confirmation receipt and link to a PDF copy of your response to the email you provided on Page 2.