Drug guidance
Pembrolizumab for treating resectable Stage II, IIIA, or IIIB (T3-4N2) non-small-cell lung cancer
Condition
Cancer
Respiratory
4 June 2025
Published on 17 Feb 2025
Last Updated on 4 Jun 2025
Guidance Recommendations
The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has not recommended pembrolizumab for inclusion on the MOH List of Subsidised Drugs, when used in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment after surgery, for the treatment of patients with resectable Stage II, IIIA, or IIIB (T3-4N2) non-small-cell lung cancer. The decision was based on the unfavourable cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab compared with nivolumab, and an unacceptable pricing proposal from the company.
Clinical indication, subsidy class and MediShield Life claim limit for pembrolizumab are provided in the Annex.