Pharmac
Why did Pharmac wait on funding Opdivo, Keytruda?
Why did cancer patients in New Zealand have to wait so long for Keytruda? Sarah Fitt, Pharmac's Director of Operations, joins Checkpoint. Audio
Cancer Society welcomes Keytruda decision
The Cancer Society says it was nonsense for Pharmac to suggest the research behind Keytruda was a reason not to fund the drug. We talk to the society's medical director, Chris Jackson. Audio
Pharmac reaches "commercially favourable" Keytruda agreement
Melanoma sufferers and cancer groups say Pharmac plans to fund the advanced melanoma drug Keytruda will save lives and change lives. We talk to Pharmac's Sarah Fitt about why Pharmac changed its mind.
…Cancer groups say Keytruda funding a breakthrough
Melanoma patients and cancer groups say Pharmac's plans to fund the advanced melanoma drug Keytruda will save lives and change lives. Sharon Brettkelly reports. Audio
Pharmac agrees plan to fund Keytruda
A melanoma patient who cashed in her retirement savings to pay for Keytruda is welcoming Pharmac's plan to fund the expensive drug. Video
Diabetes experts say NZ lags behind in drug treatments
Diabetes specialists say New Zealand is behind the rest of the world in getting funded drugs for type 2 diabetes that would improve the lives of tens of thousands of people. Audio
Pharmac announces funding of six new drugs
The Cancer Society says it's happy increased Pharmac funding means melanoma patients will finally get access to vital drugs, but it says some have died waiting. Audio
Pharmac reveals new drug funding list
Pharmac will fund six new treatments, including for advanced melanoma and hepatitis C, after being given an extra $124m over four years.
Pharmac to fund new treatments
Pharmac today announced that it would fund a number of new treatments for the treatment of advanced melanoma, hepatitis C and nephrotic syndrome in children. Audio
Melanoma patients seek early funded access to Opdivo
Anxious patients with advanced melanoma are pushing for temporary access to the drug Opdivo while awaiting long-term decisions. Audio
Two new drugs in Pharmac fund spree
Pharmac will fund two new medicines to treat illnesses including a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis which poses a risk, the drug-buying agency says.
Mike Berridge: mitochondria, DNA and disease
Kim Hill talks to the Distinguished Research Fellow and Group Leader, Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, who is co-leader of a world-first research… Audio
Pharmac's drug-funding bonanza
ANALYSIS: A funding boost from the government and DHBs means Pharmac is spreading its pharmaceutical-buying wings, writes Karen Brown
Pharmac consults on new drugs for melanoma, Hep C
New Zealanders with advanced melanoma, Hepatitis C, forms of lung disease, brain tumours, kidney disease and menopause are set to benefit from new publicly funded drugs. Audio
Kathryn Williams discusses Pharmac's Opdivo announcement
Pharmac announced today it intends funding immunotherapy drug Opdivo for 350 patients with advanced melanoma from July. Video, Audio
Melanoma patient discusses Opdivo funding
Melanoma patient Leisa Renwick led a campaign to get an immunotherapy drug funded in New Zealand. She joins Checkpoint to discuss Pharmac's funding of Opdivo. Audio
Patients emotional as funding for new melanoma drug nears
Pharmac announced that it would be funding immunotherapy drug Opdivo from July to treat lung cancer and advanced melanoma. Audio
Pharmac accused of downplaying Keytruda
Melanoma drug Keytruda's maker is accusing New Zealand drug-buying agency Pharmac of under-playing evidence about the drug's effectiveness. Audio
Melanoma drug offers bargaining chip
Patients tell Checkpoint's John Campbell Medsafe's approval of Opdivo could mean a chance of funding for a melanoma drug. Video
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.
