Nivolumab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: 24 month predicted versus actual analysis
Page last updated: 13 November 2020
Drug utilisation sub-committee (DUSC)
June 2020
Abstract
Purpose
To compare the predicted and actual utilisation of nivolumab for the second line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the first 24 months of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing.
Date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Nivolumab was PBS listed on 1 August 2017 for the second line treatment of NSCLC.
Data Source / methodology
Data were extracted from the Services Australia Supplied Prescription database for the nivolumab items for NSCLC.
Key Findings
- Since PBS listing, 5,331 patients have been supplied nivolumab for NSCLC, and 59% of these initiating patients are male.
- In 2019, 25,816 prescriptions of nivolumab were supplied to 2,327 patients.
- Flat dosing may be changing prescribing, as it appears more people are being supplied higher doses less often in recent months.
- Other immunotherapies (atezolizumab, pembrolizumab and durvalumab) are gaining market share, however 99.6% of patients treated with an immunotherapy for NSCLC have not switched to a second immunotherapy.
- Over 90% of patients treated with nivolumab for NSCLC had at least one prior platinum based chemotherapy supply.
