Cancer patients, advocates, and doctors are joining MSD in welcoming a milestone decision by the Federal Government to provide subsidised access to KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for over 10,000 newly eligible Australians over the next four years, with certain advanced and metastatic cancers.1
From 1 September 2026, the cost of KEYTRUDA will be subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for eligible Australians whose cancer cannot be surgically removed and is known to be sensitive to immunotherapy.1 This means eligible patients, including those with rare or less common cancers with limited treatment options, will pay just $7.70 (concession) or $25.00 (general patients) for each infusion of KEYTRUDA treatment.2
Immunotherapies like KEYTRUDA harness the body's immune system to tackle cancer cells.3 KEYTRUDA is registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG 263932) for 29 advanced and metastatic indications,4 across different cancer types, only 13 were previously PBS-funded.5
Until now, access to KEYTRUDA through the PBS has depended on separate assessments for each cancer indication. Under this new listing, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended that clinicians use their clinical judgement, guided by the best available clinical evidence, to determine whether KEYTRUDA treatment is suitable for a person living with immunotherapy-sensitive advanced or metastatic cancer.6
This PBS listing coincides with the registration for KEYTRUDA in certain patients with chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer.4 This will allow immediate funded access for approximately 80 eligible women1 with advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer - without the typical delay for medicines between a ARTG registration and PBS listing of 466 days.7
Associate Professor Sumitra Ananda, Medical Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Epworth HealthCare, says oncologists and patients have advocated for a new approach to immunotherapy funding for many years.
"This is an important moment that may expand immunotherapy access for thousands of Australians and give doctors the discretion to make appropriate evidence-based treatment decisions," says Associate Professor Ananda.
"Today's announcement will help make this immunotherapy treatment option more affordable and potentially remove the financial burden that patients with advanced or metastatic cancer may face."
Chifumi Umeda, Managing Director, MSD Australia & New Zealand, commended the Federal Government on its support of cancer treatment funding reform.
"MSD has spent a decade working with the cancer community to arrive at this important day. It has been a long and winding road, but the result is affordable and equitable access to this immunotherapy for eligible Australians. We are thankful to Minister Butler for his support and stewardship in this funding in Australia," says Chifumi Umeda.
