Melanoma
NZ lagging in melanoma drug funding - study
New Zealand is still far behind Australia and the United Kingdom when it comes to funding of melanoma drugs, according to a new study.
Pharmac criticised for waiting too long to fund Keytruda
A woman who had Stage IV melanoma has criticised Pharmac for not funding Keytruda earlier, saying hundreds of lives could have been saved. Video
Delivering new melanoma drugs to cost DHBs over $1 million
While Pharmac's decision to fund the hotly-debated melanoma drug Keytruda is being welcomed, cash-strapped district health boards face costs of more than a million dollars to deliver the long-awaited… Audio
Melanoma patients welcome Keytruda decision
A Wellington woman with advanced melanoma is overjoyed she will no longer have to drive to Auckland for infusions, with Pharmac confirming it will fully fund Keytruda.
Pharmac explains Keytruda deal timing
Pharmac's decision to fund a new - and expensive - drug for advanced melanoma was based on new trial research released in the last few months, it says. Video
Ozone 'healing' could reduce skin cancers
Ozone layer recovery could mean reduced occurrence of sunburn and skin cancer in New Zealand, scientists say.
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
Wait for Keytruda, Opdivo too long, say expert
Oncologists throughout the country, as well as the Cancer Society of New Zealand, have been asking for immunotherapy treatments for melanoma from Pharmac since last year. Video, Audio
Advanced melanoma patient receives Keytruda infusion
From today, patients with advanced melanoma will be able to access two publicly funded immunotherapy treatments - Opdivo and Keytruda, including Aucklander Barry Hawes. Video, 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.
…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
Pharmac will fund Keytruda
Melanoma sufferers will now have two treatment options after Pharmac announced today it would also fund Keytruda. Video, 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
Push for early melanoma drug access
Anxious patients with advanced melanoma are pushing for temporary access to the drug Opdivo while awaiting long-term decisions.
NZ skin cancer: what role does where you live play?
The first comprehensive genetic analysis of melanoma in New Zealand has shown that that where you live could be critical to your chances of getting skin cancer, and how it can be treated. Aniruddha… 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
Questions raised over new Pharmac drug funding
A woman ill with melanoma says she needs more details about Pharmac's move to fund Opdivo before she'll switch from the drug Keytruda.
Melanoma drug Opdivo to be Pharmac funded
Pharmac intends to fund melanoma drug Opdivo, following mounting pressure on the drug-buying agency to put money into immunotherapy 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
