\u201cIt\u2019s heartbreaking to see your little girl being so miserable,\u201d her mother Fran Katic said.<\/p>\n
But two years ago, Mackenzie started on the drug dupilumab, also known as Dupixent. She was granted free access only after being admitted to hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like a 360 [degree turnaround]. It\u2019s like, who is this child? You know, she\u2019s happy, she\u2019s smiling,\u201d Katic said.<\/p>\n
Three million Australians suffer from eczema, with one in three children under six affected. For some kids it\u2019s very mild, but for others it can be so severe it impacts every aspect of their lives.<\/p>\n
The drug is PBS subsidised, but only for severe sufferers over 12. About 20,000 Australians currently benefit from the scheme.<\/p>\n
Parents with younger children can be slugged $20,000 a year just to help ease their child\u2019s pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cDupilumab is game-changing. It has changed the lives of so many of my patients with very severe disease,\u201d dermatology specialist Dr Li-Chuen Wong said.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot tell you how important it is that our patients here have access to this medication.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Committee first recommended access for under-12s four years ago. Its latest decision is another setback, but the door remains open for a deal to finally give more kids access.<\/p>\n
For Mackenzie, the difference is already clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe can actually live her normal life now,\u201d he father said.<\/p>\n
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