In a development that will bring relief to countless families across Australia, beloved television broadcaster Sandy Roberts has received confirmation that his expensive treatment for a rare blood cancer will now be subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
A Secret Battle and a Public Campaign
Sandy Roberts, the 75-year-old stalwart of Australian sports commentary, publicly revealed his myeloma diagnosis in 2023. He had, in fact, carried the shattering news in secret for an entire year after a fall at his home in May 2022 led to the discovery of the incurable cancer.
The legendary voice behind more than 1,100 AFL games first sensed something was amiss when he began experiencing shortness of breath, initially suspecting a heart issue. Subsequent medical investigations, however, uncovered the cancer present in his blood.
Roberts, who retired in 2019 after a storied career covering events from the Olympics to the Australian Open, subsequently fronted a campaign to raise awareness. He highlighted the disease's severity, noting that 'almost 30 per cent of sufferers die within 18 months of being diagnosed'.
A Landmark Change in Treatment Access
This week's pivotal announcement concerns the drug Daratumumab, which will be added to the PBS as a frontline therapy for myeloma patients who are ineligible for a stem cell transplant.
Sold under the name DARZALEX, this immunotherapy works by attaching to cancerous cells, effectively marking them for destruction by the body's own immune system. The financial impact of this decision is profound.
Where previous treatments could cost patients around $150,000 in the first year alone, eligible individuals will now pay a maximum of $31.60 per month, or just $7 for those with a concession card.
Hope for Thousands of Australian Families
Mark Henderson, Chief Executive of Myeloma Australia, affirmed that this decision will transform lives in communities nationwide. For Sandy Roberts, the news represents a hard-fought victory.
'This is fantastic news for future multiple myeloma patients and their families,' Roberts told News Corp. 'This announcement shows us that people are listening.'
The subsidisation of Daratumumab offers not just financial reprieve but also a renewed sense of hope for those battling this relentless disease, ensuring a cutting-edge treatment is within reach for those who need it most.
