Australia’s Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced yesterday that the government will allocate 240 million Australian dollars to fund Spinraza. Those with SMA will be able to start receiving this break-through treatment already in June.

The announcement comes on the back of the positive recommendation of Spinraza which was issued last month by Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, the Australian agency responsible for drug appraisal. According to the recommendation, Spinraza will be available to those with SMA types 1, 2 and 3a under 18 years old at a nominal cost of 40 Australian dollars.

This is excellent news for more than 300 families living with SMA in Australia. The Australian patient organisation SMA Australia already pledged to lobby for access to treatment for those with SMA type 3b and adults.