New medicine to fight melanoma now registered

MSD New Zealand today announced that its anti-PD1 immunotherapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) has been registered by MEDSAFE for the treatment of the most deadly form of skin cancer – advanced metastatic melanoma.
 
New Zealand is the 30th country in the world to have KEYTRUDA registered for first line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adults.1
 
KEYTRUDA is the first anti-PD-1 immunotherapy registered in New Zealand and uses the body’s own immune system to attack the melanoma.2
 
KEYTRUDA blocks a specific protein - PD-1, and allows the body to detect and destroy the cancer cells. 2
 
Dr Rosalie Fisher, medical oncologist, says, “Every year, there will be approximately 340 New Zealanders battling advanced melanoma that may be helped by this new form of treatment. It’s essential these patients are able to access KEYTRUDA as soon as possible.”
 
Melanoma New Zealand CEO Linda Flay, says, “The registration of KEYTRUDA is a fantastic first step, but without PHARMAC funding, the new medicine will remain out of reach for the majority of New Zealanders with life-threatening advanced melanoma. Many patients with advanced melanoma need KEYTRUDA and they need it now.
 
“With almost one life lost a day from melanoma, equitable and affordable access to this new therapy is absolutely essential.
 
“PHARMAC must prioritise the funding of this important medicine to help address what is clearly a national health priority.” she said
 
Mr Paul Smith, MSD New Zealand Director, says, “This is great news for patients with advanced melanoma. The latest clinical trial results presented at ASCO 2015, showed 80 percent of patients who had received no prior treatment, experienced tumour shrinkage and 14 percent had no detectable cancer at a median follow up of 15 months.
 
“New Zealand doctors and institutes have been involved in the clinical trials of KEYTRUDA for nearly two years and a number of New Zealand patients with advanced melanoma have already been treated with KEYTRUDA. This medicine is being investigated in a range of cancers and it is vital we continue to do research to improve the outcomes for cancer patients.
 
“Registration means KEYTRUDA is now approved for use in New Zealand; however patients will need to pay for treatment until it is funded by PHARMAC. We are ready to negotiate with PHARMAC now, so that we can secure the earliest possible listing, which could be February 1 2016.”