Posted by Michael Wonder on 25 Aug 2025
Committee rejects application for medication Keytruda to be subsidised for Aussies with cancer
23 August 2025 - Australians with rare cancers like Natalie Willacy have just been handed a devastating hit, which could leave them having to forgo life-saving treatments.
Patients and doctors are “astonished” and “heartbroken” a proposal to help Australians battling rare cancers afford a cutting-edge therapy has been knocked back, warning people will have no choice but to forgo life-changing treatment.
After two years of deliberations the PBAC on Friday formally rejected an application by drug manufacturer MSD Australia and New Zealand to have immunotherapy Keytruda subsidised for multiple cancer types at once.
