The 2025 FOP Australia Conference opened today, 23rd August, with a milestone announcement for care of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva in Australia by the Minister for Health, Hon Mark Butler MP. Minister Butler has announced that on 1st September, palovarotene will become the first FOP treatment available on the PBS. This will enable subsidised supply to eligible patients throughout Australia.
We would like to acknowledge the generosity and commitment of people living with FOP and their families who contributed their stories to advocate for the ability for others to have the choice of treatment for the first time ever. In hearing their stories, PBAC noted the high and urgent need for treatments for FOP. This PBS listing will also raise the profile of FOP significantly, including in our government and amongst clinicians. It will also help pave the way towards access for future treatments.
It will be more important than ever for clinicians to learn how to recognise FOP, and to learn when palovarotene should be considered and how to use it safely. As part of today’s conference we will have international experts giving guidance on these topics, and many more.
Join us online via links at: https://fopaustralia.org/2025meeting/
Picture: Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, Australian Government.