‘Landmark extension’ of cancer drugs on PBS

In what has been described as a ‘landmark extension’, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings of two immunotherapy drugs have been expanded to cover multiple cancers.
 
As of 1 March, nivolumab (sold as Opdivo) and ipilimumab (sold as Yervoy) are available for no more than $25 – a change expected to save more than 5000 Australians around $100,000 per course of treatment.
 
The announcement marks a world first, with the expansion the first time a single PBS listing will cover several cancers.
 
The listing removes the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ rule for patients needing treatment for more than one type of cancer, giving patients with rare cancers access to the medicine requiring individual submissions for each cancer type.
 
Oncologist Dr Rachel Roberts-Thomson said the listing marks a ‘real turning point’ for cancer treatment in Australia.
 
‘Previously on our PBS, we needed to prescribe ipilimumab and nivolumab based on a patient’s cancer type and specifics,’ she explained.
 
‘But from today, we are able to prescribe not based on the cancer type that the patient has, but more as a tumour agnostic approach for those who we feel will benefit.
 
‘It really is a game changer today and we’re very pleased about this announcement.’
 
Among the patients who will benefit from the expansion are those with cancers that cannot be surgically removed, with advanced or metastatic cancers, patients who need to be treated again after a relapse, or those who need the treatment for a longer period.
 
Rare Cancers Australia Chief Executive Christine Cockburn, said the listing will bring ‘equity and hope’ for those with rare cancers.
 
‘What this means in the real world today is that when a clinician would like to prescribe these immunotherapies to the patient sitting in front of them, they can tell them they have an immunotherapy that will work in their own systems,’ she said.
 
‘They don’t have to have the next conversation, which up until today was, “and you’ll have to find tens of thousands of dollars to access it, I’m really sorry”.’

Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler described the PBS additions as ‘incredibly exciting’, saying the announcement comes after several years of hard work and advocacy.
 
‘In the almost four years I’ve been Health Minister, this is one of the most exciting announcements I’ve had the privilege of making,’ he said.
 
‘It is going to make a huge difference in giving hope and extended lives to literally thousands and thousands of Australians who are battling advanced cancer.
 
‘This is genuinely a landmark extension to our cherished PBS system, which will give new hope to thousands of Australians.’
 
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cancer ipilimumab nivolumab Opdivo PBS Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme rare cancers Yervoy