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Drugs, devices and diagnostics | Government Documents

Update on cancer drug Keytruda access

6 Aug 2024

Te Whatu Ora | Ministry of Health

Health New Zealand is moving forward implementation planning to ensure a small group of cancer patients can take advantage of free early access to the drug Keytruda shortly ahead of Pharmac starting to fund the medication.

Work has been underway for national implementation in seven weeks’ time with Pharmac due to start funding the drug from 1 October.

Further advice from Health NZ clinicians has confirmed we could manage the small number of patients concerned ahead of 1 October.

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