2332 days ago

Pharmac announces plan to fund cancer drugs Kadcyla and Alecensa

Brian from New Lynn

The national drug funding agency are proposing that by December 1 Kadcyla, for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer, and Alecensa for positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer will be made publicly available. A drug that treats relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, known as Ocrevus, is also planned to be funded. They say they are seeking public feedback on the proposal to fund the three drugs by August 2019. All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by Pharmac's Board (or its delegate) prior to making the final decision on this proposal. This comes after a long-standing fight from advocacy groups and New Zealanders dying of cancer campaigning for the lives it could extend and save. Earlier this year Lung Cancer Foundation chief executive Philip Hope said five people die of the disease every day while a further six are diagnosed. It launched a petition calling for more and fairer funding from Pharmac, given the number of deaths caused by lung cancer each year. Hope said currently lung cancer drugs get $2,771,115.00 - or 2.3 per cent - of funding. More than 600 Kiwi women die each year from breast cancer, the nation's third most common form of cancer. Funding applications still pending include for Ibrutinib and Venetoclax for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; Lenalidomide for multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer; for Lynparza and Avastin to be funded for ovarian cancer; six drugs for myeloma; Myozyme for late onset Pompe disease, a rare and fatal metabolic disorder; and medications including Keytruda, Osimertinib and Crizotinib for advanced lung cancer.
===========================================================

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

Image
Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 79.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    79.7% Complete
  • 20.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    20.3% Complete
685 votes
J
19 hours ago

Suspicious Guy

Jan from Te Atatu South

Keep an eye on this guy, pretended to read the water meter, then wandered up the drive crowbar in hand when I asked what he wanted he said power and is there a dog.We have smart meters. He opened my neighbours gate (we are 3 units) and went in the back of her place with his crowbar. My son went round there and he took off. Police informed.

14 hours ago

Exclusive Christmas Sleep Deals - Up to 65% OFF Beds!

Beds4U - Avondale

Hi neighbours,

This coming Christmas, why not treat yourself to better sleep? For one day only, we’re offering an extra 5% OFF on top of our already reduced Boxing Day Bed Sale prices!

With up to 65% OFF on selected beds and FREE delivery, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your sleep. But hurry, these deals are moving fast, and once stock is gone, it’s gone!

If you’d like to see what’s available:
Find your nearest Beds4U store: beds4u.co.nz/store-locator
Browse all Boxing Day deals: beds4u.co.nz/boxing-day

Don’t miss out, give yourself the gift of quality sleep this Christmas!

Image