12 April 2019 - The outcome statement for the PD-(L)1 checkpoint inhibitor stakeholder meeting held on 8 February 2019 , discussing the option for a broad PBS subsidy listing for PD-(L)1 inhibitors for non-small cell lung is now available.

Overall, stakeholders expressed an interest in exploring the development of a broad non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) listing for the PD-(L)1 inhibitors. During the meeting, stakeholders identified several key issues and challenges surrounding the progression of a broad NSCLC listing.

Some of the pharmaceutical industry attendees considered a broad NSCLC listing for all eligible PD- (L)1 inhibitors deviates from their understanding of the Minister’s request to the PBAC. This was viewed by those stakeholders as a missed opportunity to provide a way forward for listing PD-(L)1 inhibitors across several tumour types.

The Chair noted the challenge of a broader multi-tumour listing was the increased level of uncertainty about relative benefits in different cancer types and therefore the ability of the PBAC to meet its legal requirements to ensure cost-effectiveness when recommending drugs for subsidy on the PBS.

Read PBAC outcome statement