John Murphy (Lowe, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Last week in parliament I raised a matter that is of growing concern to many workers and homeowners in Australia: the growth in the number of Australians with asbestos related diseases. The prognosis for the most debilitating of these diseases, mesothelioma, is extremely poor. However, recent studies have shown that Alimta can inhibit tumour growth and increase life expectancy. Workers who believe that their employment in New South Wales exposed them to the inhalation of asbestos fibres can claim compensation, paid for by contributions made by all New South Wales employees raised by a small levy. Alimta is not currently subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for people with mesothelioma though it is subsidised for people with lung cancer, which is often caused by smoking. I again call on the government to make sure that Alimta is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme so that it can provide much-needed relief to people who are terminally ill.

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