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Health NZ blocks free early access to cancer drug Keytruda

5 Aug 2024

RNZ

Patient advocates are accusing Health New Zealand of “cruelty” towards a small group of cancer patients, who are being forced to wait two more months for a newly-funded drug.

Pharmac has agreed to fund the medicine Keytruda from 1 October to treat five cancers: head and neck, triple negative breast, colorectal, bladder and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Patient Voice Aotearoa chairperson Malcolm Mulholland said the drug company Merck Sharp and Dohme had offered to give 20 to 30 patients free access in the meantime, but Health New Zealand had blocked it.

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Key issues

HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS

Covering developments in the provision, funding and organisation of health care services.

EQUITY

Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.

DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS

Covering prescription medicines and medical devices.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Focusing on efforts to promote health and prevent disease through social and economic interventions.

DIGITAL HEALTH

Exploring the potential digital transformation to provide a more connected and accessible health system.

TE TIRITI

Monitoring how the health reforms and the performance of the health sector uphold Te Tiriti obligations.