It is estimated that 7,397 people are diagnosed with lymphoma each year. Of these, approximately 450 patients are diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma and around 2,000 for B-cell lymphoma. Outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphoma are generally poor, with overall survival usually less than one year. Although most patients can be cured, up to 40 per cent of B-cell lymphoma patients are refractory to this treatment or will have a relapse after an initial response.

Medical practitioners often prescribe non-PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) therapeutic products to treat patients as a bridging therapy even though it is not in line with the strict product label. Products can only be funded by patients themselves. Due to regulatory considerations, please reach out to Snowdome via the ALA for details on the two products available for funding alaadmin@snowdome.org.au.

It is for this reason on 10 October 2024 Snowdome Foundation Limited (Snowdome) raised funds to support patients with T-cell and B-cell lymphoma. There is now an opportunity for medical practitioners to apply to Snowdome to fund these products (applications powered by the Australasian Lymphoma Alliance).

How to apply for patient funding

Medical practitioners may apply on behalf of their patients for funding a non-PBS listed therapeutic product by completing the attached form and sending it to alaadmin@snowdome.org.au.

Upon satisfaction of Snowdome’s conditions to funding, Snowdome will provide a purchase order number to the medical practitioner to present to the dispensing hospital pharmacy. Snowdome will then arrange payment of the invoice directly with the dispensing hospital pharmacy.

Conditions to funding

Snowdome will consider applications on a case-by-case basis. Funding is limited and is ultimately provided at the sole discretion of Snowdome. Additionally, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

  • Funding is available to
    • 1) T-cell lymphoma patients with relapsed or refractory disease
    • 2) B-cell lymphoma patients as a bridging drug to CAR T-cell therapy
  • The patient must be treated in Australia
  • The medical practitioner must be registered or licensed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Approval must be given by the Special Access Scheme (SAS) of the Therapeutic Goods Administration
    (TGA), where required.
  • Requests need to be referred to the relevant pharmaceutical company to ensure alignment with their access to medicines policies and reporting requirements. The therapeutic product must be one of two products that Snowdome has sought funding to supportT-cell lymphoma patients treated in Queensland Health public hospitals are not eligible

For further information about this program please email alaadmin@snowdome.org.au