The Australian Government is listing Retevmo® (selpercatinib) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time to treat advanced or metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
About 85 per cent of all diagnosed lung cancers are NSCLC. This makes it the most common type of lung cancer. However, RET fusions are present in only 1-2% of these patients. 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.
Around 130 Australian patients are expected to benefit from this listing each year. Without the PBS subsidy, they could pay more than $280,000 for a course of treatment.
From February 1, the PBS listing of Retevmo means eligible patients will instead pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, or just $7.70 if they hold a concession card.
Since July 2022, the Australian Government has approved extra funding for 287 new and amended listings on the PBS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"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.
"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.
"Instead of a $280,000 bill, eligible Australian patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script.
"Each new listing on the PBS demonstrates the Albanese Government's commitment to delivering cheaper medicines to patients in need."
