Realizing the benefits of tumour-agnostic access requires a national health learning system

Abstract

The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s decision to allow tumour-agnostic reimbursement of nivolumab and ipilimumab is a bold experiment that involves a considerable level of risk-sharing between government, industry, clinicians and patients. The central policy challenge now is whether Australia has sufficient infrastructure and initiative to convert this access into timely and decision-relevant evidence. Reimbursement that accelerates access despite uncertainty carries an obligation to learn.