An immunotherapy drug is set to be expanded on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people with certain types of high-risk or advanced cancers.
In a move tipped to benefit more than 10,000 patients, pembrolizumab – sold as Keytruda – will be expanded on the PBS from 1 April.
It will be available for three new indications:
- High-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer, which has spread beyond the cervix, but not to the distant organs
- Renal cell carcinoma in patients at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following surgery
- Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC).
While Australia has one of the lowest cervical cancer rates globally thanks to the success of the HPV vaccination program, 950 women were diagnosed in 2021.
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in Australia with more than 3,900 diagnosed in 2021. Even after surgery, some patients face a high risk of the cancer returning or spreading.
Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma affected more than 2,100 patients in 2021. The advanced form of carcinoma encompasses a range of malignancies, including in the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.
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Pembrolizumab can help reduce the risk of the cancer returning. It is already PBS listed for some types of breast cancer and other types of cervical cancer.
Without the PBS subsidy some patients could pay more than $15,400 per script, according to the federal Department of Health.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the move will mean Australian patients can get the treatment they need faster and at an affordable price.
Recently, other immunotherapy drugs were expanded on the PBS for patients with advanced and metastatic cancers.
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