Progress Towards More Melanoma Medicines Funding

Melanoma New Zealand welcomes progress for advanced melanoma patients, following today’s announcement by Pharmac of a proposal to widen access to two medicines.

New Zealand has one of the highest incidence rates of melanoma in the world, and the highest mortality rate. This shift towards more funding of medicines will play an important role in improving patient outcomes and helping to address New Zealand’s alarming skin cancer statistics.

For stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma patients, this could reduce the risk of melanoma returning and could mean less treatment is required for some people.

The medicines that could become available from 1 May 2026 are:

• Nivolumab and Ipilimumab together for people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma that can be removed with surgery; and
• Nivolumab for people who require further treatment after surgery.

These medicines are immune checkpoint inhibitors, which block certain ‘checkpoint’ pathways, allowing the immune system to better fight certain types of cancer.

Melanoma New Zealand has been advocating for increased funding for treatments for melanoma patients and providing technical expertise.

“The impact this could have on advanced stage melanoma patients is significant. It provides new treatment options, can reduce financial strain, and allows patients and their families to focus on what matters: their health and wellbeing,” says Andrea Newland, Chief Executive, Melanoma New Zealand. “This proposal, if accepted, will bring New Zealand more in line with international standards of care.”

The full proposal is available on Pharmac’s website (https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2026-02-proposal-to-widen-access-to-nivolumab-and-ipilimumab-for-resectable-melanoma) and the deadline for feedback is 5pm, Monday 9 March 2026. Melanoma New Zealand will be reviewing the proposal in detail in the coming weeks.

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