PHARMAC approves pembrolizumab (Keytruda) funding
August 2, 2016
PHARMAC Announcement
PHARMAC is pleased to announce the approval of an agreement with Merck Sharpe and Dohme (New Zealand) Limited (MSD) for the funding of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and decisions to amend the Special Authority criteria applying to nivolumab and to establish a “programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors” therapeutic sub-group from 1 September 2016.
This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 28 June 2016, available on PHARMAC’s website. No changes were made to the proposal following consultation.
In summary, the effect of the decisions is that from 1 September 2016:
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Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) will be fully funded in DHB hospitals for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic (advanced) melanoma, subject to the same clinical criteria as nivolumab.
- “Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors” will be established as a therapeutic sub- group as defined in PHARMAC’s Operating Policies and Procedures.
Pharmac’s announcement can be found here, and a wide range of media responses to the initial proposal can be found here.
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