Pharmac
Fears over drugs shortages
Medication shortages because of Covid-19 are affecting tens of thousands of patients, with no clear timeline for a return to normal. Drugs in short supply include four commonly used contraceptive… Audio
ACT to cut DHBs, review pharmac if it helps form next
The ACT Party plans to drastically reduce the number of District Health Boards and seek a review of Pharmac, if they help form part of the next government.
ACT's leader, David Seymour released the… Audio
Hurdles remain in place for teen on $470k life-saving drug
At 15, Bella Powell was told she had only two years to live if her CF went untreated. With nothing to lose, Bella, now 17, started taking a drug called Trikafta, and within hours she noticed results… Audio
Controversial campaign for costly new drug
Newshub has put its weight behind a campaign to fund a “miracle drug” for cystic fibrosis patients from the public purse. But are its viewers getting the full picture? Audio
How will new cancer agency achieve its goals?
How is the country's new Cancer Control Agency going to balance the demand for new, expensive cancer treatments within limited resources? The establishment of the Agency was announced last last year… Audio
More pressure on Pharmac after fifth death linked to drug switch
There's more pressure on Pharmac with another death possibly linked to the drug-funding agency's decision to switch brands of epilepsy drugs.
It is the fifth fatality reported to the Centre for… Video, Audio
Mental health patient in limbo as Pharmac drug switch queried
A mental health patient who has been taking Lamotrigine for five years says she is now in limbo, and doesn't know whether to return to her preferred brand or stick with Logem.
Erin lives with… Video, Audio
Pharmac's retreat on cheaper anti-epilepsy drug change - explained
Pharmac has been left red-faced as a cost-saving initiative appears to have backfired, and it retreated on its plan to shift thousands of patients from their prescribed drugs to a cheaper alternative.
…Pharmac changes to one generic epilepsy drug with unknown consequences for users
From tomorrow Pharmac will no longer fund the drugs used by 95-percent of people with epilepsy, instead paying for only one generic drug. The Transport Agency says some of those using the new brand… Audio
Cancer funding boost a drop in ocean - patients
Cancer patients are crying out for much more radical change, saying the country's new action plan doesn't go far enough and the funding boost is just a drop in the ocean.
The government announced the… Audio
Tugging on heartstrings to open the purse strings
Heartbreaking stories of cancer sufferers who need expensive and unfunded drugs abound. But some of those stories are helped into the spotlight by the drug companies that will also benefit. Audio
Pharmac cancer model must be reworked, specialists warn
Two cancer drugs funded by Pharmac are a welcomed surprise but the model needs to be faster and better funded as NZ lags behind other OECD countries, specialists say. Video, Audio
Pharmac proposes funding for two cancer drugs
Pharmac has struck a deal with pharmaceutical company Roche and now proposes to fund two cancer drugs and a multiple sclerosis drug from December this year. Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition chair… Video, Audio
Calls for Pharmac to be given more money to fund cancer drugs
Pharmac has late this afternoon announced a proposal to fund drugs for breast cancer, lung cancer and multiple sclerosis from December 1. The announcement comes as campaigners fronted politicians… Video, Audio
David Downs: A Mild Touch of the Cancer
Comedian, actor, and author David Downs honestly and humourously shared his battle with lymphoma in his popular column 'A Mild Touch of the Cancer' Unfortunately his treatment failed and after 12… Audio
Cancer coverage stirs action and emotions
The pressure’s on for consistent cancer care around the country. Experts say that will take more than just more money for medicines but that’s become the focus of much of the coverage and comment in… Audio
All Black jersey blitz pulls the wool over fans' eyes
The latest All Blacks World Cup jersey was launched with a comprehensive PR blitz this week - and a premium price tag. The media marveled at its cutting edge design, but it wasn’t clear whether paying… Audio
NZ lacks treatment access to myeloma patients - Myeloma New Zealand
A patient advocacy group is warning that New Zealand is falling behind in funding for lifesaving drugs that treat a common blood cancer.
Media reports' toxic side effects
A recent academic study has found that media reports were the main cause of an increase in people experiencing adverse side effects following a Pharmac switch from a branded anti-depressant to a… Audio
Mediawatch Midweek 29 May 2019
Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. Jeremy Rose talks to Emile Donovan about the media's lack of interest in how New Zealand votes at the UN; a former police inspector, MP and honorary consul's… Video, Audio