Drug Funding
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 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
Pharmac delays decision on funding life-prolonging drugs
A long-time advocate for breast cancer patients has died, as Pharmac's drug advisory panel again delays its decision on funding life-prolonging cancer treatments Kadcyla and Ibrance. Alex Perrottet… Audio
Man denied treatment for MS because he couldn't walk 500m
A man living with multiple sclerosis says Pharmac denied funding for his medication because he was unable to walk more than 500m - one of the criteria patients and advocates say needs to be… Audio
Funded drug shows change for Pharmac
Pharmac's decision to fund a new drug is an important breakthrough for rare disease treatment, an advocacy group says.
Pharmac Petition - Karen Brown
A petition calling on the Government to fund the melanoma treatment, Keytruda, has been presented to Parliament today. Australia, Canada and Britain subsidise the treatment, but Pharmac has given it… Audio