1 September 2015 - Pembrolizumab has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) today via a Managed Entry Scheme (MES). This MES provides a mechanism to address the uncertainty over the size of the additional clinical benefit of pembrolizumab while providing early access to those patients for whom there is a high clinical need. Information about the benefits of pembrolizumab in clinical practice will be collected, analysed and presented to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for consideration in the near future.

Prescribers and patients must be aware that if a medicine listed via an MES does not prove as beneficial in clinical practice as appeared in the clinical data presented to the PBAC, it may subsequently have its restriction modified or be removed from the PBS by the Commonwealth, or at the request of the sponsor.

For more details, go to: http://www.pbs.gov.au/info/news/2015/09/pembrolizumab-keytruda-mes-pbs-patient-info

MAESTrO Insight: This is the first reimbursement listing of Keytruda in an HTA market.