- By AUT Journalism Student Vivek Panchal
The Government has announced it will increase funding for Pharmac, boosting the availability of medicines for Kiwis.
The $6.294 billion budget, which will be divided over four years, is the largest ever funding for Pharmac and has been a priority for the Government.
According to Associate Health Minister David Seymour, Pharmac was short $1.7b and was unable to increase access to medicines.
“Tangible results continue to flow from our investment, with new cancer drugs, as well as other medicines, continuing to be made available,” Seymour says.
“The early signs of Pharmac’s redirection remain positive, as expanding opportunities and access for patients and their families continue to be prioritised.”
An estimated 380 patients will be able to access cetuximab (Erbitux) for colorectal cancer treatment while around 120 patients with renal cell carcinoma will be able to access nivolumab (Opdivo).
“Patients with blood and bone marrow cancer will be able to access funded bendamustine and pemetrexed will also be funded for any relevant use,” Seymour says.
Patients suffering from non-cancer ailments like schizophrenia, low iron levels, urinary tract infections, severe psoriasis, and constipation will also be able to access the funded medication.
“I’m pleased to see Pharmac’s responsiveness to the voices of patients and their families by expanding access to treatments based on feedback and the consultation process.”
However, there’s still a lack of funding for blood cancer medications.
In an open letter to Prime Minister and Botany MP Christopher Luxon, 600 patients called for action on pre-election commitments to fund cancer medications.
Elvin Tibbs, a blood cancer patient, wrote the letter expressing discontent over the disparities in accessing medicines between Australia and New Zealand.
The letter says: “For those of us with blood cancers, medicines present our best opportunity for survival, underscoring the devastating impact of this disparity.”
It comes in light of a report published by the Cancer Control Agency which shows 24 essential blood cancer treatment medicines were funded in Australia but not in New Zealand.
Six of those 24 medicines are still on Pharmac’s funding waiting list or in the assessment stage.
Blood cancer patients have no preventative or screening options, and their survival relies on effective treatment.
“We’re simply asking you to deliver on your commitments; for the same chance at life that patients in comparable countries already receive,” the letter states.
In New Zealand, more than 21,000 patients are suffering from blood cancer, making it the third leading cause of cancer-related death.
