NZ Expands Access to Skin Cancer and Side Effect Treatments from June 2025

In a significant step for cancer care in New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac, David Seymour, have welcomed Pharmac’s announcement to widen access to several critical medicines. Starting from 1 June 2025, the government-funded pharmaceutical agency will expand access to or begin funding three major treatments, including two used in skin cancer therapy and two drugs that manage adverse effects associated with cancer immunotherapies.

The initiative is being seen as a tangible result of the government’s $604 million increase to Pharmac’s budget. This funding boost, promised during the last election campaign, is now delivering expanded treatment options for cancer patients across the country.

Expanded Access to Life-Saving Treatments

Pharmac has confirmed that it will:

• Widen access to pembrolizumab, sold under the brand name Keytruda, a widely used immune checkpoint inhibitor for several cancers.

• Begin funding the combination therapy of dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist), both of which target specific genetic mutations in melanoma patients.

These therapies are especially impactful for patients diagnosed with stage 3B to stage 4 skin cancers. According to Pharmac, approximately 285 individuals are expected to benefit from these expanded melanoma treatments in the first year alone.

“This marks another step forward for cancer patients,” said Minister Seymour. “The early signs of Pharmac’s redirection remain positive. With proper support, Pharmac is proving what it is capable of achieving.”

Addressing Immune Therapy Side Effects

A growing number of patients are now receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab. While effective, these therapies can result in significant immune-related side effects. As part of this new policy, Pharmac will expand access to infliximab and tocilizumab, which are used to treat inflammatory responses triggered by these cancer treatments.

“This decision is a direct response to consultation feedback from patients and healthcare providers,” Seymour noted. “It shows Pharmac’s responsiveness to patient experiences and its adaptability in improving treatment outcomes.”

Fulfilling Cancer Care Promises

The initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to deliver faster and more effective cancer care, one of its five key health targets. Minister Brown emphasized the commitment to earlier detection, faster treatment timelines, and broader access to medicines.

“As Minister of Health, I am focused on ensuring better access to cancer medicines, better cancer management through faster treatment targets, and enhanced early detection through national screening programs,” said Brown. “This is exactly the kind of outcome we campaigned for and that New Zealanders voted for.”

The announcement fulfills a major campaign promise, which was to fund 13 additional cancer treatments through Pharmac. According to Brown, the changes taking effect from June 2025 will mean that “treatments for all those cancer types will now be funded.”

A Win for Patients and Families

Both ministers highlighted the significance of this development for patients and their families, noting that a more adaptable and patient-centric system is taking shape. The government is hopeful that this marks a turning point in how cancer treatment is delivered across the country.

“This is a good day for cancer patients,” Seymour concluded. “Our goal has always been to put patients at the center of our health strategy, and this move by Pharmac is a reflection of that philosophy.”

As the implementation date draws near, further communication is expected from Pharmac to ensure clinicians and patients are fully informed of the eligibility criteria and processes for accessing the newly funded medicines.