January 14, 2020
Cancer drug added to Pharmac schedule
Pharmac has struck a provisional agreement with medicine supplier Pfizer to fund the breast cancer drug Ibrance.
It’s one of a group of drugs Wiki Mulholland and other cancer sufferers have been campaigning to be funded, as it offers the prospect of extending their lives while other cures are sought.
Many of the women told harrowing stories to a select committee enquiry looking into Pharmac’s actions, and cancer support group Sweet Louise says over the past year more than 200 of its members who would have benefited from the drug have died.
The decision means at least 2000 women could begin receiving the medicine by as early as April.
Many women have been fundraising for the drug, which costs more than $1000 a week.
Pharmac says it is holding a final round of consultation on the drug to check there will be no problems with getting it to the people who will get the most benefit from the medicines.
Pharmac chief executive Sarah Fitt says the types of medicines known as CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors can stop or slow down the progression of cancer, giving people more time to spend with their loved ones.
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