The Albanese Government is continuing to deliver cheaper medicines with thousands more Australians living with advanced and high-risk cancers having access to affordable immunotherapy treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 April.
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) will be expanded to include treatment of three new indications:
- High-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer, which has spread beyond the cervix, but not to the distant organs. Over 950 Australian women in 2021 were diagnosed with cervical cancer.
- Renal cell carcinoma in patients at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following surgery. Even after surgery, some patients face a high risk of the cancer returning or spreading. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer with over 3,900 diagnosed in 2021.
- Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) affecting more than 2,100 patients in 2021. The advanced form of carcinoma encompass a range of malignancies, including in the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx.
Keytruda® is an immunotherapy that works with the body's immune system to help detect and fight cancer cells. This treatment can help reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
This expands on the current PBS listing of Keytruda® for types of breast cancer and other types of cervical cancer.
It is expected that over 10,000 patients could benefit from this listing. Without the PBS subsidy, patients could pay more than $15,400 per script.
The expanded PBS listing means eligible patients will pay a maximum of $25 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.
Since July 2022, the Albanese Government has approved extra funding for 431 new and amended listings on the PBS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"This expanded PBS listing to cover multiple cancers will mean Australian patients can get the treatment they need faster and at an affordable price.
"Thousands of patients each year will now have access to the treatment that was previously out of reach for most families.
"We want all Australians to get the treatment they need faster and live better lives for longer."
Quotes attributable to Minister Boyer:
"By expanding the PBS listing it will alleviate some of the financial pressure that can come with accessing cancer treatments.
"This is an important cost of living measure to help patients during what is no doubt a very stressful time.
"This expansion will help support a further 10,000 Australian patients, that previously would not have had access to this this treatment."
