New drugs, vaccines have price slashed

Treatments for breast cancer, spinal muscular atrophy, and Hodgkin lymphoma have had their prices slashed in this year's federal budget.

The Tuesday release confirmed the Turnbull government is setting aside $1.4 billion for new and changed listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

From June 1, Spinraza will cost patients with spinal muscular atrophy less than $40 a script, and $6.40 for concessional patients, instead of more than $367,850 a year.

Kisqali for the treatment of breast cancer will also have its cost reduced from July 1.

Without the government subsidy patients would have had to find more than $70,000 a year.

Keytruda for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma was listed as of May 1.

Pregnant women will have access to a free whooping cough vaccine from July and the flu shot won't cost a thing for Australians over 65 years.

There is now Medicare support for dialysis in remote areas, a new listing for spinal surgery, MRI scans for prostate cancer and 3D tests for breast cancer.

The government has also found $28.2 million over five years to upgrade the e-prescribing software system used by doctors to prescribe drugs.