Pharmac Funds New Cancer Treatments and Expands Existing Ones, Improving Access for Thousands

Strategic Insights -

Pharmac, New Zealand's public healthcare provider, has announced the funding of new cancer treatments and the expansion of existing ones, promising improved access for thousands of patients. The move includes funding for immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted cancer medicines, and antibiotics to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

Pharmac's decision to fund nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab for eligible people with kidney cancer is expected to benefit around 110 people in the first year of funding. This treatment is a first-line option for kidney cancer patients, providing them with a more effective treatment approach. Additionally, Pharmac is expanding access to sunitinib for eligible people with kidney cancer, regardless of prognosis, and funding axitinib for second-line treatment in metastatic kidney cancer.

The funding of inotuzumab ozogamicin for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is expected to benefit around 15 people in the first year. This targeted cancer medicine is used for people with B-cell ALL that has recurred after, or not responded to, initial treatment.

Crizotinib will be funded for non-small cell lung cancer patients with a ROS-1 gene mutation, benefiting around 20 individuals in the first year. This oral capsule is taken daily to stop the growth of cancer cells.

To combat antibiotic-resistant infections, Pharmac will fund ceftazidime with avibactam for eligible patients. This treatment is expected to benefit around 30 people in the first year, increasing to 60 people annually over the next five years.

Another notable decision is the price reduction and brand change for palbociclib, a medicine for advanced breast cancer. The new brand, Palbociclib Pfizer, will be funded from July 2025, benefiting around 550 people per year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pharmac will fund immunotherapy treatment nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab for eligible people with kidney cancer, benefiting around 110 individuals in the first year.
  • Sunitinib will be funded for eligible people with kidney cancer, regardless of prognosis.
  • Axitinib will be funded for second-line treatment in metastatic kidney cancer.
  • Inotuzumab ozogamicin will be funded for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), expected to benefit around 15 individuals in the first year.
  • Crizotinib will be funded for non-small cell lung cancer patients with a ROS-1 gene mutation, benefiting around 20 individuals in the first year.
  • Ceftazidime with avibactam will be funded for antibiotic-resistant infections, benefiting around 30 people in the first year, increasing to 60 people annually over the next five years.
  • The price of palbociclib will be reduced, and the brand will change to Palbociclib Pfizer, funded from July 2025.

Statistics:

  • Around 110 people with kidney cancer are expected to benefit from nivolumab and ipilimumab in the first year of funding.
  • The funding of sunitinib for kidney cancer will benefit an estimated number of people (undisclosed in the source).
  • Axitinib is expected to benefit around 35 people with metastatic kidney cancer in the first year of funding.
  • Inotuzumab ozogamicin will benefit around 15 people with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in the first year of funding.
  • Crizotinib will benefit around 20 individuals with non-small cell lung cancer in the first year.
  • Ceftazidime with avibactam is expected to benefit 30 people in the first year of funding, increasing to 60 people annually over the next five years.
  • Palbociclib is used by around 550 people each year.

Sources:

  • PHARMAC Funding nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab for eligible people with kidney cancer
  • Widening access to sunitinib for eligible people with kidney cancer that has spread
  • Funding axitinib for eligible people with kidney cancer
  • Funding inotuzumab ozogamicin for eligible people with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Funding crizotinib for eligible people with non-small cell lung cancer
  • Funding ceftazidime with avibactam for eligible people with antibiotic-resistant infections
  • Price reduction and brand change for palbociclib