Treatments for plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis have been given the green light by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in its July recommendations for new PBS listings. 

The committee recommended calcipotriol with betamethasone cream, marketed as Wynzora, for a new restricted benefit PBS listing for the treatment of chronic stable plaque type psoriasis vulgaris. 

The recommendation covered patients who had not adequately responded to potent topical corticosteroid monotherapy, under the same terms as the calcipotriol with betamethasone (CAL/BDP) foam and ointment formulations currently listed on the PBS. 

“The PBAC noted CAL/BDP cream provides another option for patients requiring topical CAL/BDP, and considered that [the] cream had similar efficacy and safety compared to [the] foam and ointment,” the committee said.

The PBAC also gave the nod to 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, aZematop, for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis affecting the body, face and eyelids. 

“The PBAC noted input which highlighted the issues with the currently available [tacrolimus] compounded products, including drug stability issues, secondary bacterial infections, the significant cost and accessibility issues,” the meeting outcome document said.

The committee said it had accepted 0.1% tacrolimus was likely to be as safe and effective for patients as standard medical management, including topical corticosteroids, and it should cost no more than corticosteroids. 

Nemolizumab, sold under the brand name Nemluvio, was not recommended for listing for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis affecting the whole body, face and/or hands. 

The PBAC said claims in the submission that the treatment was similarly effective to dupilumab were not adequately supported by the clinical data provided. 

While additional clinical data was later presented, the dosing regimen applied was not in line with what had been included in the product’s approved TGA product information, the committee said.

Nemolizumab’s sponsor, Galderma, said it would continue to work with the PBAC to make the drug available to patients.