Pharmac will widen access to two melanoma medicines, funding nivolumab and ipilimumab to be given before surgery for people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma that can be removed. The change takes effect on 1 May 2026 and adds a second funded immunotherapy option alongside pembrolizumab (Keytruda).

“Nivolumab and ipilimumab are immunotherapy medicines that help the immune system fight melanoma,” said Pharmac’s Manager of Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels. “Funding these medicines gives people another effective treatment option.”

Clinical advice to Pharmac indicates the combination can reduce the risk of melanoma returning. About two in three people have a strong response by the time their tumour is removed, with significant shrinkage or very little active disease remaining, according to the agency.

“For many people, that response means they may not need further treatment after surgery,” Pouwels said. “For patients and their whānau, that can mean fewer infusions, fewer hospital visits, and less time spent in treatment.”

Because some patients may not need ongoing treatment after surgery, Pharmac expects the decision to lessen demand on oncology infusion services. The agency estimates the change will free up around 1,000 infusion hours annually.

Around 155 people are expected to receive the pre-surgery combination in the first year, rising to about 166 people a year after five years. Most would otherwise have received funded pembrolizumab.

Pharmac said feedback from people with melanoma, whānau, clinicians and advocacy groups largely supported widening access, noting the potential to reduce the number of infusions. Some respondents asked for broader eligibility across different melanoma types; Pharmac said it will seek further clinical advice on the potential impact of wider access.

Nivolumab and ipilimumab are already approved for use in New Zealand and funded for some other cancers.