Chronic Heart Failure Medicine Subsidy Welcomed

The National Heart Foundation of Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to subsidise a chronic heart failure medicine, saying it will help improve the quality of life for many of the 300,000 people living with the debilitating disease.

The drug, Coralan, which slows a patient’s heart rate will be listed on the PBS on 1 December 2013, and will be $5.90 for pensioners and concession card holders or $36.10 for general patients.

An elevated resting heart rate is a significant problem for those who suffer from chronic heart failure. Studies of the drug have shown that lowering the heart rate of people living with heart failure significantly reduces the risk of hospitalisations and death from the disease.

The Heart Foundation’s National Director of Cardiovascular Health Dr Robert Grenfell, said many people don’t realise the impact of chronic heart failure on a person’s quality of life.

“Heart failure sufferers experience rapid breathing and a terrifying feeling of not being able to get enough air.  The sense of fatigue is overwhelming, reducing the enjoyment of day to day activities,” Dr Grenfell said.

“This listing on the PBS is a welcome step forward for those who suffer from chronic heart failure and their families, but drug treatment is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to treating heart failure.”

The Heart Foundation is calling on all sides of government to commit to action on chronic heart failure with alarming statistics showing an estimated 30,000 Australians are diagnosed with the debilitating condition every year.

“In addition to drug treatment, expanding the availability heart failure programs will help achieve better management and care of heart failure patients in Australia,” he said.

“We want all governments, policy makers, clinical networks and clinicians to commit to a National Policy Framework so we can improve the systems of care across the acute and primary care sectors and give chronic heart failure patients a better quality of life.”

More than 45,000 Australians were hospitalised due to chronic heart failure in 2009-2010, equating to more than 360,000 bed days, costing the national economy $1 billion a year.

“It’s one of the leading causes of hospital readmissions – as many as one in five people will return to hospital within one month of their last admission,” Dr Grenfell said. “It’s a huge burden on the healthcare system so if the incoming Government is serious about easing the pressure, chronic heart failure is the place to start.”

Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show women make up 60% of chronic heart failure cases and death rates from the disease increased by 20% between 2006 and 2011