Pharmac
Rising cost of new drugs poses challenge for Pharmac
As highlighted earlier this morning by our health reporter Karen Brown, the rising cost of new drugs including cancer treatments is becoming a major challenge for health authorities including Pharmac.
…Expert warns of 'insane' pricetag for new cancer drugs
A leading New Zealand cancer researcher says international drug prices are becoming insane and it's a major and growing challenge for Pharmac. Audio
Greens: Politics should keep out of Pharmac
The Green Party's health spokesman Kevin Hague yesterday said the campaign to get Keytruda provided by Pharmac could set up the victims of diseases to become lobbying pawns for the pharmaceutical… Audio
Melanoma patients demand urgent decision on drug funding
Patients with advanced melanoma presented a petition to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today, calling for Pharmac to fund the drug Keytruda. Health Correspondent Karen Brown reports. Audio
Keytruda researcher met with Health Minister months ago
Dr Antoni Ribas, a Keytruda researcher, was in New Zealand three months ago and met with Jonathan Coleman, he tells Checkpoint. Pharmac will need more money in its budget in order to fund a melanoma… Audio
Keytruda petition presented to Parliament
A petition with over 11,000 signatures was presented to Parliament today, calling for the funding of Keytruda for advanced melanoma. Petition organiser Leisa Renwick told Checkpoint about the drug… Video, Audio
Melanoma survivor calls for Pharmac to fund Keytruda
A terminally ill cancer patient who paid for her own melanoma treatment and survived is taking a petition to Parliament calling for drug Keytruda to be funded. Audio
Pharmac's melanoma treatment 'not ideal'
The only melanoma treatment currently funded by Pharmac is not ideal for treating the disease, a representative says. Video
Pharmac's melanoma treatment 'not ideal'
Pharmac's only melanoma treatment is not ideal for treating the disease, a representative for the government agency has told Checkpoint with John Campbell. Video, Audio
Patients left in lurch as Bayer pulls free anti-coagulant
Fifteen hundred patients with blood-related problems have been left in the lurch by a big pharmaceutical company pulling a free anti-coagulant drug.
Pharmac demands better data on contentious new cancer drug
Pharmac is refusing to bow to pressure and be rushed into funding a new treatment for advanced melanoma. Health Correspondent Karen Brown reports. Audio
Pharmac won't be swayed on melanoma drug
Pharmac is refusing to be rushed into funding a hotly debated new drug for advanced melanoma.
Pharmac backs its decision over new melanoma drug
The drug-buying agency Pharmac is refusing to be rushed into funding a hotly debated new drug for advanced melanoma. Pharmac's chief executive, Steffan Crausaz talks to Karen Brown. Audio
The media clamour for funding cancer drugs
The government is under pressure to pay for another costly cancer 'wonder drug'. It's not the first time the media have weighed in on how the nation's pharmaceutical budget should be spent, egged on… Audio
Herceptin hero urges government to fund melanoma drug
One of the advocates behind the successful Herceptin campaign is urging the government to fund a drug for patients with advanced melanoma. Audio
The cost of medicines
Dr Chris Jackson of the Cancer Society talks about the costs of drugs here and in other countries. Audio
Three-month medicine dispensing rule under fire
Pharmac's facing calls to re-think its rule giving patients three months' worth of certain medicines in one go. Audio
Cancer survivor 'shattered' at Pharmac funding call
A man whose melanoma disappeared after taking part in a drug trial is dismayed to hear Pharmac will not fund the medicine.
New funding regime needed for revolutionary cancer drugs
The country's top cancer research organisation says a new drug funding regime is needed to pay for a new generation of drugs which are revolutionising cancer therapy. Pharmac's clinical advisory… Audio
Man on drug trial "shattered" to hear Pharmac not funding it
A man whose melanoma disappeared after taking part in a drug trial says he's shattered to hear Pharmac won't fund the medicine. Audio
