Pharmas try again for expansions

Most of the change to listings on the agenda for the PBAC's March meeting are seeking recommendations for indications for new diseases, often for the second time.

Novartis is seeking a listing of a combination of Tafinlar and Mekinist for the treatment of adult patients with BRAF V600E mutation positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The combo is currently listed for melanoma, and has a recommendation for glioma.

Novartis also wants to add an indication for Rydapt, to treat adult patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis. It's currently subsidised for FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation positive acute myeloid leukaemia.