Pharmac widens funded access to melanoma medicines

Skin Cancer NZ welcomes Pharmac’s decision to widen funded access to nivolumab and ipilimumab for people with resectable stage IIIB and IV melanoma, effective 1 May 2026.

This decision represents an important step forward in improving outcomes for people with resectable melanoma.  Patients will now be able to access effective treatment sooner, helping to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

Evidence shows that around two in three patients have a strong response to immunotherapy before surgery, with substantial tumour shrinkage or minimal active disease remaining at the time of removal. For many, this means additional treatment after surgery may not be required.

For patients and their whānau, this can translate to fewer infusions, fewer hospital visits, and less time spent in treatment.  The reduced need for ongoing therapy is also expected to ease demand on hospital oncology infusion services, supporting better delivery of care for all patients.

What the funding covers:

People with stage IIIB and IV melanoma that can be removed with surgery will be eligible for funded:

• Neoadjuvant immunotherapy – nivolumab and ipilimumab given before surgery to shrink the tumour and improve the response to surgery.
• Adjuvant immunotherapy – nivolumab given after surgery for patients who need additional treatment.

Changes to the original proposal:

Following public consultation, Pharmac made two refinements:

• Transitional funding for patients receiving treatment in private facilities can now be extended beyond 12 months on a case-by-case basis.
• Nivolumab renewal criteria were updated to ensure patients who develop recurrent, unresectable melanoma can continue treatment.
  
  

We sincerely thank our oncology representatives for their expert advice and everyone who contributed feedback.