Agenda for May 2025 Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) meeting
Information on what the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) will be considering at its meeting in May 2025.
Applications
Foslevodopa / foscarbidopa for advanced Parkinson disease
The Committee will discuss an application for a new treatment for advanced Parkinson disease for people experiencing severe motor fluctuations despite optimal treatment with other medicines. Parkinson disease is one of the most common neurological (brain and nervous system) conditions. It affects movement and coordination.
Foslevodopa / foscarbidopa (branded as Vyalev) is administered using a portable pump to provide a continuous subcutaneous infusion.
Application for foslevodopa / foscarbidopa for Parkinson disease(external link)
Etonogestrel (Implanon NXT) subdermal implant for contraception
The Committee will discuss a new application for a contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT) used to prevent pregnancy. Implanon NXT is a type of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method. The implant is a single rod that slowly releases the hormone etonogestrel. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm.
Application for etonogestrel (Implanon Nxt) implant for contraception(external link)
Vanzacaftor, tezacaftor, deutivacaftor for cystic fibrosis
The Committee will discuss a new treatment for people with cystic fibrosis – vanzacaftor, tezacaftor, deutivacaftor (branded as Alyftrek). Cystic fibrosis is an inherited life-long genetic condition affecting the lungs, liver, digestive system, and other parts of the body.
This application considers treatment in people with cystic fibrosis (aged 6 years and older) with F508del mutation(s) or another treatment responsive mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. This treatment is a once daily option.
Application for vanzacaftor, tezacaftor, deutivacaftor for cystic fibrosis(external link)
Secukinumab for a severe skin condition
The Committee will discuss a new application for secukinumab (branded as Cosentyx) to treat people with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a long-term inflammatory skin condition that causes painful lumps under the skin, typically in areas like the armpits and groin.
The Committee will consider the use of secukinumab as first-line biologic treatment and second-line biologic treatment.
Application for secukinumab for hidradenitis suppurativa(external link)
Sacituzumab govitecan for breast cancer
The Committee will discuss a new application for sacituzumab govitecan (branded as Trodelvy) for people with triple negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have receptors for oestrogen, progesterone or HER2.
The Committee will consider treatment in the third-line setting (after two or more prior treatments).
Durvalumab for the treatment of lung cancer
The Committee will discuss a new application for durvalumab (branded as Imfinzi) to treat people with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). It is used in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin. ES-SCLC is when the cancer has spread widely within the lungs or to other parts of the body.
Application for durvalumab for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer(external link)
Advisory meeting agenda setting
The scheduling and agenda setting process for advisory meetings considers multiple factors. We aim to balance the relative priorities of:
- clinical advice needed across indications
- the factors for consideration for each application (such as, unmet health need)
- the time since applications were received
- the internal and advisor resource available to support each meeting.