PBS expands access to Keytruda for more cancer patients
31 Aug 2026
Keytruda was already available through the PBS for 17 cancer indications. The latest changes add treatment for advanced cholangiocarcinoma, ovarian cancer and Merkel cell carcinoma.
Keytruda will also be available through the PBS in combination with enfortumab vedotin (Padcev) for people with stage 3 or 4 urothelial cancer.
The changes are expected to benefit more than 10,000 patients when combined with earlier PBS expansions.
The treatment works through immunotherapy, which helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Oncologist Associate Professor Amitesh Roy said immunotherapies such as Keytruda have significantly changed cancer treatment.
He said the broader PBS listing gives clinicians greater flexibility to use immunotherapy based on clinical evidence and individual patient needs.
Keytruda was previously expanded on the PBS on 1 April to cover high-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer, renal cell carcinoma in certain patients at increased risk of recurrence after surgery, and locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler described Keytruda as one of the most significant medicines available in Australia and said the expansion would improve access to cancer treatment.
For cancer survivor Angelo Favrin, access to immunotherapy played an important role in his treatment. He said paying for the treatment privately would have been far beyond what he could afford.
PBS expands access to Keytruda for more cancer patients
Source: RACGP newsGP / Australian Government Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.