Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world with one Australian diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes.
While 90 per cent of melanomas can be successfully removed if diagnosed early, some lead to recurring – and deadly – cancers.
A course of treatment for melanoma patients can cost upwards of $10,000. However those drugs – Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab), which treat stage III and IV malignant melanoma – are now subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Eligible patients will now pay a maximum of $30 per script for this vital therapy.
Health minister Mark Butler says: “Instead of paying an exorbitant $10,200 for a course of treatment, it will now cost these patients a maximum of $30 per course of treatment thanks to the government’s cheaper medicines policy.”
Professor Georgina Long, co-medical director of the Melanoma Institute Australia says subsidised access to the treatment will undoubtedly save lives.
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