26 April 2016 - A much-hyped melanoma drug credited with saving the life of businessman Ron Walker has been denied a full listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme after an advisory group ruled there was not enough evidence to justify taxpayers footing the bill.

The drug, Keytruda, which can cost about $120,000 a year unsubsidised, has been available at a reduced price on the government-funded PBS for the past seven months.

However, conditions of a managed entry scheme, including a risk-share arrangement, struck in May last year have meant that drugmaker Merck Sharp & Dohme has been unable to charge full price.

The company has since made a submission to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee seeking its reconsideration of the cost-effectiveness of the drug.

For more details, go to: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/melanoma-drug-keytruda-denied--full-listing-on-pbs/news-story/d3405c0fed81408ff238ac27cb57fd6e