The fight started to get Alimta on the PBS in 2004, Bernie Banton, along with Karen, was pivotal in leading the fight. It culminated with Bernie personally delivering 17,000 hand signed petitions to the then Health Minister, Tony Abbott in October 2007, barely a month before he died (see the attached video). Alimta finally become available on the PBS in 2008. 8 years later it is like a time warp, mesothelioma (and other rare cancer) sufferers,their carers and supporters are still fighting to have treatments put on the PBS. This fight and petition is a little different, as the Bernie Banton Foundation is not fighting to have a particular drug put on the PBS, but rather to change the system, so every time a drug comes up showing some hope, we don't have to fight. Thank you to all who have signed, if you haven't, please sign and continue to share this petition, lives do depend on it. - Rod Smith A copy from the Melbourne Age newspaper, Bernie cranking up the Alimta fight in 2005. April 14, 2005 - 1:09PM The Age:Mesothelioma sufferers in Alimta plea Mesothelioma sufferer Tony Lorizio credits chemotherapy drug Alimta with getting him healthy enough to take his two young daughters on a holiday to Disneyland. The 41-year-old former carpenter, diagnosed with the deadly asbestos-related cancer last year, joined a chorus of asbestos disease victims and doctors calling on the federal government to give all mesothelioma patients access to the drug. The chemotherapy drug Alimta was rejected for inclusion in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) last year despite trials showing it could prolong survival time, reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for mesothelioma sufferers. About 600 people a year in Australia develop mesothelioma - a rare form of lung cancer which is caused only by asbestos exposure. Symptoms include severe pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss and fatigue. Mr Lorizio accessed the drug through the NSW Dust Disease Tribunal, but said it was unlikely most mesothelioma sufferers could afford the $15,000 price tag attached to the treatment. "When I was first diagnosed I was house-bound for about two or three months," Mr Lorizio said. "It (Alimta) has improved my quality of life so much that I am able to do things that I wasn't able to do before - I've even played golf and in the next couple of days I will be taking my children to Disneyland." All mesothelioma sufferers should be able to access the drug because it could "substantially change their quality of life", he said. "I think it's unfair for people who can't afford it ... everyone should have access to it so their quality of life can improve," he said. Professor Stephen Clarke, a medical oncologist based at Concord Hospital, said Alimta was the only approved effective treatment for mesothelioma in Australia. "While Alimta is not a cure, it helps control the disease and by doing so assists in improving symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath which results in improved quality of life." The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Council appeared to have made a mistake by not listing Alimta, he said. Prof Clarke called on federal Health Minister Tony Abbott to urgently intervene and instruct the advisory council to revisit the drug. Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia vice-president Bernie Banton said people with mesothelioma had limited time to live and therefore were in no position to wait for treatment. "While this is not a cure-all for everybody, it does give people hope and a much softer landing," Mr Banton said. "We need this approved and we need it as soon as possible (because) people with mesothelioma don't have a long life expectancy. "I can only say please, Mr Abbott, listen to what we are saying, these people need your help now." © 2005 AAP