New treatment options for melanoma are being described as the global gold standard.  

Pharmac's proposing to increase access to nivolumab and ipilimumab for treating stage 3b and 4 melanoma, from May.  

Pre-surgery use of the immunotherapy drugs can lower the chance of cancer returning. 

Medical oncologist Dr Gareth Rivalland told Ryan Bridge it's state of the art treatment.  

He says it's the best combination and will kill off the cancer in 60% of people. 

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