Pharmac
New drug offers cure for some Hepatitis C sufferers
In a major move that's gone largely under the radar, drug-funder Pharmac is widening access to an expensive medicine. It's Harvoni, for those who are extremely sick with Hepatitis C. Audio
Health groups welcome new drug-funding plans
Health groups are largely welcoming Pharmac's plans for better access to drugs including melatonin, HIV retrovirals and a lung cancer treatment.
Pharmac rejects application to subsidise sanitary items
According to Pharmac, menstruation isn't a health need, so they will not be subsidising tampons and sanitary pads for all women. Audio
Pharmac rejects request to fund tampons, pads
Pharmac will not subsidise tampons and sanitary pads for all women, saying menstruation is a "normal function".
Pharmac looks to fund women's tampons and pads
Government funded health agency Pharmac is considering funding women's sanitary products such as tampons and pads. Charity KidsCan says many girls can't afford the products. Audio
Pharmac Considers Cutting Cost of Sanitary Products
Pharmac is considering whether to help cut the cost of sanitary products. The government funding agency has received an application for it to subsidise the products and hopes to report back to the… Audio
Pharmac and its role in making drugs available
Science communication student Garrett Chin talks with doctors and a health economist about the challenges that Pharmac faces in buying drugs, and what happens when new but expensvie drugs become… Audio
Pharmac pushed to change approach to allergy pens
Pharmac is being urged to encourage the Australian suppliers of allergy injection devices to supply the New Zealand market as well.
'Heartless' to deny breast cancer drug
The Breast Cancer Foundation wants a new drug extended to 160 women already receiving treatment.
Pharmac signs new deal giving women access to new cancer treatment
About 180 women with aggressive breast cancer will soon have access to an expensive new medicine. Audio
Pharmac urged to fund Keytruda for other cancers
A cancer patient given just two days to live five months ago is calling on Pharmac to publicly fund Keytruda for cancers other than melanoma. Audio
NZ lagging in melanoma drug funding - study
New Zealand is still far behind Australia and the United Kingdom when it comes to funding of melanoma drugs, according to a new study.
Pharmac criticised for waiting too long to fund Keytruda
A woman who had Stage IV melanoma has criticised Pharmac for not funding Keytruda earlier, saying hundreds of lives could have been saved. Video
Pharmac called on to improve funding practices
Melanoma sufferers who missed out on Keytruda, now funded by Pharmac, are still paying the price, a parliamentary select committee has been told. Audio
Life-saving melanoma drug rollout to cost DHBs 'millions'
District health boards face costs of more than $1 million to deliver long-awaited new melanoma drugs to patients.
Hep C Buyers Club
Hazel Heal has suffered from Hepatitis C for about 30 years, and she joined the FixHepC Buyers Club - which helps patients import new medications at a fraction of the cost. Audio
Pharmac explains Keytruda deal timing
Pharmac's decision to fund a new - and expensive - drug for advanced melanoma was based on new trial research released in the last few months, it says. Video
Why did Pharmac wait on funding Opdivo, Keytruda?
Why did cancer patients in New Zealand have to wait so long for Keytruda? Sarah Fitt, Pharmac's Director of Operations, joins Checkpoint. Audio
Cancer Society welcomes Keytruda decision
The Cancer Society says it was nonsense for Pharmac to suggest the research behind Keytruda was a reason not to fund the drug. We talk to the society's medical director, Chris Jackson. Audio
Pharmac reaches "commercially favourable" Keytruda agreement
Melanoma sufferers and cancer groups say Pharmac plans to fund the advanced melanoma drug Keytruda will save lives and change lives. We talk to Pharmac's Sarah Fitt about why Pharmac changed its mind.
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