A BUSSELTON resident’s Facebook post, which called out the Government for spending more money on the plebiscite rather than subsidising cystic fibrosis medication Orkambi, has gone viral across the social media site.
Jackie Hodson’s post has gained more than 1900 likes and 850 shares since it appeared on Facebook on September 16, and has been shared by Equal Marriage Rights Australia.
“We've all seen the recent headlines, it's going to cost roughly $160 million for the Government to run plebiscite, to confirm what we already know - the Australian society supports same sex marriage,” Ms Hodson wrote.
“Yet here I am; 25 years old and fighting to breath.
“I have battled cystic fibrosis since infancy and I am now facing a big, fat, fight to stay on a revolutionary medicine that is saving my life.
“I've been lucky to trial the medicine Orkambi through a compassionate scheme, however there are 1000 other children and young adults who need this drug now, and some will die while they wait.”
The drug was denied subsidising by the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme earlier this year, as it was not deemed cost-effective (it would cost $100 million to subsidise the drug in its first year).
Ms Hodson said this was despite Orkambi reducing hospitalisation by 61 per cent and lung damage by 40 per cent.
She said for those with cystic fibrosis who are not part of the trial, the drug would cost them approximately $250,000 a year.
“Orkambi would cost Australia $100 million in its first year,” she said.
“How can the comparable cost of this plebiscite, a vote, be justified while denying me a lifeline - my only chance to marry the love of my life, have a family, and grow old.”
Ms Hodson said the drug was the first to tackle the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis.
“Where we might not have a cure, this is the closest thing we’ve got,” she said.
“This is a drug that could potentially be prolonging people’s lives.”
To find out more about cystic fibrosis visit cysticfibrosis.org.au.