Lung cancer medication gets PBS listing

For the first time, the Australian Government is listing Retevmo (selpercatinib) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) — to treat advanced or metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With around 130 Australian patients expected to benefit from this listing each year.

NSCLC accounts for about 85 per cent of all diagnosed lung cancers, making it the most common type of lung cancer. RET fusions are present in only 1–2% of these patients, however. In patients whose cancer has an altered RET gene, the change in the gene causes the body to make an abnormal RET protein, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.

Retevmo is a targeted therapy that blocks proteins, helping to slow or stop the cancer growth. Without the PBS subsidy, they could pay more than $280,000 for a course of treatment. The PBS listing of Retevmo applies from 1 February and the means eligible patients will instead pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or just $7.70 if they hold a concession card.

“The PBS saves lives every day. Each listing gives help and hope to Australians with medical problems by putting effective but expensive treatments within reach,” Australia’s Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said. “For patients with lung cancer, the listing of Retevmo is a significant milestone. It has been shown to slow or stop advanced rearranged during transfection fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer from growing and spreading.”

The Australian Government has approved extra funding for 287 new and amended listings on the PBS since July 2022.

Image credit: iStock.com/AlexanderFord