Aussie govt. to subsidize cancer drug

SYDNEY, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard plans to speed up introduction of a government subsidy for the breast cancer drug Herceptin.

Howard, speaking on Southern Cross radio, was commenting on his cabinet's approval of the subsidy, which will result in cancer patients paying less than $760 per year for the drug, instead of $53,000.

The subsidy will be available beginning in October but Howard said he would investigate whether it could be sooner -- although "I can't make a promise."

Speaking separately, Health Minister Tony Abbott said he doubted if it was possible for an earlier introduction of the subsidy, as "there are some systems that have to be put in place before we actually can get Herceptin into pharmacies and paid for by the government, rather than by patients."