28 September 2018 - The brief outcome from the August 2018 special meeting regarding PD-1 and PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies: options for subsidy consideration for multiple cancer types is now available.

The PBAC acknowledged the considerable input received. The PBAC found the views and information presented in the submissions to be informative and wide-ranging. Consistent with a theme across a majority of the submissions, the PBAC considered that any change in the current PBS process should not disadvantage any other consumer group, disease type or medicine class.

The PBAC noted that at the time of its August meeting there were two PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) and two PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors (atezolizumab, avelumab) registered in Australia. Submissions to PBAC have been made for seven tumour types, five of which are now subsidised, with the final two recommended for subsidy at the July 2018 PBAC meeting.

Read PBAC brief outcome