Affordable treatment for recurrent melanoma
Source: Minister for Health and Aged Care, March 2023
From 1 March 2023, Australians with recurrent melanoma will have a new treatment option subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The PBS listings of Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab) will be expanded to be used in combination to treat Stage III or IV malignant melanoma in patients who experience a recurrence of melanoma while receiving or within 6 months of completing adjuvant PD-1 inhibitor monotherapy.
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that if not found early, can likely spread to other parts of the body. Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world with one Australian diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes.