Free access to the cancer drug Keytruda is to be introduced from Tuesday

The Government's pledge to provide more publicly funded cancer medicines begins tomorrow with the long-awaited launch of Keytruda.

Access to the drug, also known as pembrolizumab, has been expanded to five types of cancer: advanced triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma.

It means people like Auckland mother-of-two Gill Ripley no longer have to seek help to pay for the expensive medication.

Ripley was breastfeeding her baby last July when she noticed a lump in her breast.

“I was younger than average and still breastfeeding Joseph, and I remember googling it,” she told 1News.

“For example, 'What are the chances of getting breast cancer while breastfeeding?' and they went “very deep.”

“So yes, it was a big shock, but I knew I had a lump and should get it checked out.”

Subsequent tests confirmed the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer – an extremely aggressive form of cancer.

Their only option was to pay for it. Ripley's father funded her treatment, which cost more than $100,000.

“I talked to my parents and they said my dad would help me,” she said. “It’s a bit embarrassing having to ask your parents for money when you’re 40, but yes, they really wanted to help.”

The cancer survivor said it would be “great if all women with this type of breast cancer could access it.”

“Massive impact on quality of life”

Dr. Health NZ chief clinical officer Richard Sullivan called tomorrow's launch a “fantastic day”.

“We’re getting six new patient populations getting access to Keyruda/pembrolyzmab,” he said.

The oncologist called Keytruda a “fantastic immunotherapeutic that has a massive impact on quality of life and extends life.”

“It’s really exciting that the $600 million investment will give us access to these new medicines for the first time.”

Eligible patients will begin receiving treatment gradually starting tomorrow, he said, with the rollout expected to reach 1,000 patients within a year.

Sullivan said more skilled workers are needed to provide treatment services statewide and recruitment is already underway.

“Oncologists don’t grow on trees, and oncologists don’t nurse doctors either – another part of our solution,” he said.

“In 2025, our primary focus will be increasing our workforce to meet some of this demand.”

The new funding means women diagnosed with advanced triple-negative breast cancer will be eligible for funded treatment.

Two antifungal drugs will also become more accessible tomorrow, while approval for kidney cancer drug Opdivo (also known as nivolumab) was expanded on November 1.

“Incredible results”

The NZ Breast Cancer Foundation has long been committed to funding Keytruda for advanced breast cancer and is pleased that the rollout has finally begun for eligible patients.

However, Ah-Leen Rayner, chief executive of the foundation, said new research also shows benefits for early-stage use.

“The latest results from an international conference just a month ago have released some new incredible results. These results show that in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, Keytruda reduces the risk of death by 34% and reduces the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body by 32%,” Rayner told 1News.

“Scientists and clinicians there actually said that this drug, Keytruda, should become the international standard of care for treating early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.”

Politicians will have the final say on whether eligibility will be expanded further in the future.

However, Sullivan said the new drugs offer hope and longer life to patients with whom the drugs are compatible.