The coalition government says “up to seven” of the original 13 cancer treatments National promised at the election will be funded, while others will be “replaced with alternatives that are as good or better”.
It will cost $604 million over four years.
The coalition government has been criticized by the opposition and other commentators for failing to provide funding for 13 cancer drugs that National specifically promised to fund in the election campaign.
The announcement was made today by Health Minister Shane Reti and Deputy Health Minister David Seymour, who is responsible for Pharmac, New Zealand’s independent medicines purchasing agency.
A joint statement released today said the coalition would deliver “up to 26” cancer treatments as part of a total package of a further 54 new medicines.
Reti said Pharmac estimated that around 175,000 people would benefit from the additional treatments “in just the first year”.
He said the government was today “delivering on promised therapies and more” – an “unprecedented and transformative investment in cancer and other treatments”.
“Of the thirteen cancer treatments mentioned in the election campaign, up to seven will be included in the package announced today, and the others will be replaced by alternatives that are as good or better.
“This means that not only will treatments for all types of cancer included in the election manifesto list be covered, but also a number of other treatments, including for blood cancers and other tumors.
“We are also delivering more new medicines for a range of other conditions to improve the health and life outcomes of Kiwis.”
Reti said the announcement would enable Pharmac to fund up to 26 cancer treatments and 28 other treatments.
“This will be a mix of new medicines and wider access to medicines that are already available.
“Our reason for this expansion is simple. Increasing access to essential medicines for Kiwis is the right thing to do.
“Pharmac will receive a $604 million funding increase for medicines, which is an upfront commitment over next year’s budget. Further funding to deliver and manage the new treatments will be available to Pharmac and Health New Zealand.
“This follows our record $16.68 billion for Vote Health in Budget 2024.”
Some of the newly funded cancer treatments would be available from October or November, with more introduced over the coming year, he said.
Seymour said the announcement was what Kiwis wanted: “public money to support visible frontline services and healthcare for people in need”.
“For many New Zealanders, pharmaceutical financing is life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or a life of freedom. It was a priority for this administration to find the additional $1.8 billion to close the budget gap left by the previous administration. government, and we are now providing $604 million in support to Pharmac to ensure more Kiwis have access to life-changing medicines.
“Expanding the package to reach approximately 175,000 people per year in the first year across a range of circumstances is possible through the Pharmac model that delivers the best value for New Zealanders, something that is very important to me.
“This approach allows the government and pharmaceutical industry to act on updated clinical advice, funding new and more effective treatments that have replaced previous options.”
The listed cancer treatments included in the package were:
- Atezolizumab with bevacizumab for liver cancer
- Axitinib for kidney cancer – second-line therapy
- Cetuximab or panitumumab for colon cancer – first-line therapy
- Nivolumab for kidney cancer – second-line therapy
- Osimertinib for lung cancer – first-line therapy
- Osimertinib for lung cancer – second-line therapy
- Pembrolizumab for bladder cancer
The cancer medicines include treatments for:
- Lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colon cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Melanoma
Pharmac estimates that the proposal would fund 28 other medicines that ‘can’ treat:
- Infections
- Respiratory disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Sexual health
- Dermatology
- Inflammatory conditions
- Mental health
