The Albanese Government is continuing to deliver cheaper medicines with thousands more Australians to benefit from an immunotherapy cancer treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
From September 1, Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) is being significantly expanded as a multi-cancer listing for Australians living with advanced and high-risk cancers.
Keytruda has already been listed on the PBS for 17 cancer indications, now clinicians will have the option of prescribing the treatment for additional advanced cancers including:
- Advanced cholangiocarcinoma (Bile duct cancer)
- Ovarian cancer
- Merkel cell carcinoma (a rare skin cancer)
Advanced or metastatic cancer occurs when the disease has spread from its original site to nearby tissues, lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Keytruda® works by blocking a pathway that cancer cells use to hide from the immune system, helping the body to recognise and attack the cancer.
Around 700 Australians per year are expected to benefit from this listing. Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay around $14,800 per script.
Separately, Keytruda has also been newly listed in combination with the drug Enfortumab Vedotin (Padcev®) for the treatment of patients with Stage 3 or 4 urothelial cancer.
This is an advanced form of bladder cancer where the cancer has spread beyond the bladder to nearby tissues, lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Padcev® in combination with Keytruda® provides a targeted treatment option by directly targeting cancer cells and helping the immune system attack the disease.
More than 490 Australians are expected to benefit from this listing each year. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay up to $4,800 per script.
Since July 2022, the Australian Government has approved extra funding for 492 new and amended listings on the PBS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“This expanded PBS listing of Keytruda, to cover multiple cancers will mean thousands more Australian patients can get the treatment they need faster and at an affordable price.
“Keytruda is one of the most extraordinary drugs available in the country and now it is listed to help so many more Australian patients.
“This is another illustration of the beauty of our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, bringing the best medicines in the world, to Australia at affordable prices.”