Advanced melanoma drug given a low priority by PHARMAC

3 December 2015

For immediate release

Advanced melanoma drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) given a low priority by PHARMAC

Melanoma New Zealand says it is shocked by the news today that PHARMAC’s sub-committees have given KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) a low priority for funding.

CEO of Melanoma New Zealand, Linda Flay, says: “We are very disappointed that KEYTRUDA received a low priority, despite both sub-committees stating that KEYTRUDA should be funded for the treatment of metastatic or unresectable stage lll or lV melanoma.

Melanoma New Zealand Board Member, Dr Rosalie Fisher, says: “The latest clinical trial evidence tells us that after two years, 60 percent of KEYTRUDA patients are still alive. The median survival for an advanced melanoma patient is 8-9 months so this is clearly a major advance on the existing treatment. It is particularly frustrating and perplexing that this decision could be made in a nation with the highest melanoma rates in the world and it leaves our patients without access to any effective treatments.

“While it would be ideal to have longer term evidence of the benefits, the reality is that people will die while we gather that data. This is a major step backwards, and given that almost one person dies every day, current melanoma patients do not have time. Other countries are not waiting and consequently lives are being saved.”

Mrs Flay says: “While Australia and England also expressed concern about the early nature of the data, KEYTRUDA went on to be funded given the significance of the early findings and the unmet medical need.

“We applaud PHARMAC for showing some urgency by releasing these minutes early and we take heart in the fact that other medicines which have received a low priority have gone on to be funded. Melanoma patients and their families should not lose hope. I understand this recommendation clears the way for PHARMAC to begin negotiations with the supplier, and we urge them to do this now so that New Zealand patients can have access to KEYTRUDA as early as February 2016.

“We appreciate that PHARMAC is independent of the Government, but given the enthusiasm Minister Coleman demonstrated for KEYTRUDA at the recent Melanoma summit, we urge the Government to give a clear signal to PHARMAC that New Zealand patients should enjoy similar access to a life-saving drug as our counterparts in developed countries.”

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