A study of the effectiveness of the melanoma drug Keytruda is being done by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board's Clinical Trials Unit.

The long-running study will focus on when Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is given with another drug Epacadostat, and will take place at the CTU based on the Tauranga Hospital campus.

The clinical trials are taking place here. Photo: Andrew Campbell.

Pharmac is paying for the drug for advanced melanoma patients from the beginning of this month.

The research study looks at whether Keytruda is more effective in preventing Melanoma progression when given with another cancer drug, Epacadostat, rather than on its own, says a statement from the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

Just six patients from the Bay of Plenty are taking part in the study, which started in June after a long public campaign to get the Government to pay for the hugely expensive drug.

"Eligible patients for the clinical trials in Tauranga are referred by their oncologists and their progress is closely monitored.

"The study will run for two years in Tauranga and in Dunedin."

The Tauranga CTU was established in 2009 with two staff. It now has nine research nurses, a research assistant and research manager.

Earlier this year it moved into a purpose built facility at 850 Cameron Road.

The CTU is headed by Professor Peter Gilling and undertakes clinical trials and research for a variety of pharmaceutical and device companies and research projects.

"The majority of the trials are multi-centre, international, pharmaceutical studies; in the fields of oncology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, respiratory, cardiology, infectious diseases and original research."

The manufacturer's website comparing Keytruda witih chemotherapy claims research backed figures that say nearly five times as many patients on Keytruda saw their tumors shrink, citing 21 per cent on Keytruda compared with four per cent on chemotherapy.