The Australian Government has announced the inclusion of Retevmo (selpercatinib) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The listing is set to provide more affordable treatment options for patients with advanced or metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

NSCLC accounts for approximately 85 per cent of all lung cancer diagnoses, making it the most prevalent form of the disease. 

However, RET fusions, which can cause abnormal protein production leading to cancer growth, occur in only 1-2 per cent of these cases.

Retevmo, a targeted therapy, works by blocking these proteins to slow or halt the progression of the cancer.

This PBS listing is expected to benefit around 130 Australian patients annually. Without the subsidy, the cost of treatment could exceed $280,000. 

Since 1 February 2025, eligible patients are paying a maximum of $31.60 per prescription, with concession cardholders paying as little as $7.70.

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