The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has recommended PBS listings for entrectinib in NSCLC, pembrolizumab in melanoma and ondansetron for chemotherapy-related nauseas and vomiting

At its March meeting the PBAC recommended the listing of entrectinib as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced (Stage IIIB) or metastatic (Stage IV) ROS1-positive non-squamous or not otherwise specified (NOS) NSCLC.

The PBAC said it considered that the listing of entrectinib may address an unmet clinical need for an alternative treatment option with a different safety profile compared to crizotinib.

Wider access to pembrolizumab  in melanoma was also recommended, with the PBAC supporting an extension of its current listing to allow its use as a first-line therapy in the treatment of BRAF V600 mutant Stage III or Stage IV unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

The PBAC considered that pembrolizumab would be cost-effective in this population if it was cost-minimised to nivolumab, which was recommended for the same indication in November 2019.

The Committee also responded positively to a request from MOGA to extend the PBS subsidy indication  of ondansetron from its current indication of nausea and vomiting associated with radiotherapy to include chemotherapy.

This will mean that ondansetron tablets, orally disintegrating tablets and wafers will be subsidised for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with oral chemotherapy being used to treat malignancy. The PBAC advised that this change should also apply to the PBS listing for granisetron 2 mg tablets.