Every year, 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma, and every six hours a patient dies from skin cancer.
Now, those with recurrent melanoma are being given new hope with a cutting-edge treatment, Opdualag, set to be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on 1 February.
The treatment is a combination of immunotherapies designed to help the body fight cancer and the listing is expected to benefit about 940 patients each year.
Without the subsidy, patients could expect to pay about $315,000 per course of treatment.
Health minister Mark Butler said: “(This will) add a new tool to the growing toolbox of treatments for Australia’s national cancer.
“With cheaper medicines we are supporting millions of Australians with chronic, ongoing conditions so they don’t have to choose between healthcare and paying the bills.”
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