PBS updates

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)

pembrolizumab 100 mg/4 mL injection, 4 mL vial · INJECTION · PBS code 12120X

AUTHORITY_REQUIRED

What it costs

AU$3632.56 PBS-determined price per pack

Most patients pay only the standard PBS co-payment, not the full price above — up to AU$25.00 per script (general) or AU$7.70 (concession/Safety Net) in 2026. The figure above is what the PBS pays the pharmacy; the Australian Government subsidises the rest. Always confirm the current amount with your pharmacist.

  • • First listed on the PBS: 2020-09-01.
  • • Repeats: 7.
  • • PBS program: IN.
Eligibility criteria for subsidised access

The following is the government's own wording from the PBS Schedule, shown unchanged.

Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits (NHL) - Schedule 4 part 1

Stage IIIB, Stage IIIC or Stage IIID malignant melanoma


Initial treatment - 3 weekly treatment regimen


The treatment must be in addition to complete surgical resection; AND

Patient must have a WHO performance status of 1 or less; AND

The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition; AND

Patient must not have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment for this condition; AND

The treatment must commence within 12 weeks of complete resection; AND

Patient must not have received more than 12 months of therapy (irrespective of whether therapy has been partly PBS-subsidised/non-PBS-subsidised).

Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits (NHL) - Schedule 4 part 1

Resected Stage IIIB, Stage IIIC or Stage IIID malignant melanoma


Continuing treatment - 3 weekly treatment regimen


Patient must be undergoing continuing PBS-subsidised treatment commenced through an 'Initial treatment' listing; AND

Patient must not have experienced disease recurrence; AND

The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition; AND

Patient must not have received more than 12 months of therapy (irrespective of whether therapy has been partly PBS-subsidised/non-PBS-subsidised).

Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 14 000 173 508

Not medical advice. Voxsanity republishes public PBS data in plain English. PBS listing status and criteria can change; always confirm current subsidised availability with your doctor or pharmacist.

Source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), © Commonwealth of Australia. Data used and redistributed under permission; not modified from its original wording where displayed verbatim.