On 19 December 2024, New Zealand’s Pharmac issued a media release requesting feedback on proposals to fund six medicines for cancer and antibiotic resistant infections from 1 April 2025, which includes:
- BMS’ Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab) (in combination) for kidney cancer as a first treatment option; and
- Pfizer’s Besponsa® (inotuzumab ozogamicin) for a type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The consultation period closes on 24 January 2025.
In September 2024, Pharmac announced that Opdivo® (as monotherapy) would be fully funded for eligible people with kidney cancer from 1 November 2024.
As previously reported, New Zealand has recently increased funding for cancer drugs, including Keytruda® (pembrolizumab).