Addressing the growing effects of breast cancer among the workforce - Economist Report
Please find attached an Economist Intelligence Unit report on how to address the growing effects of breast cancer among
the New Zealand workforce.
In a few weeks time PHARMAC is due to make a decision on funding new treatments which can give New Zealand women with
metastatic breast cancer a better quality of life and more time with their loved ones.
MedSafe NZ has approved the use of Ibrance (palbociclib) for those with advanced hormone receptor positive and
HER2-negative breast cancer, but it’s only available to those who can pay for it.
The medicine is a breakthrough drug and preliminary clinical evidence for it was so strong that the United States Food
and Drug Administration fast-tracked its use in that country.
Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition chairperson Libby Burgess says hundreds of women could potentially benefit from Ibrance
now that it is available in New Zealand.
'This medicine is a game changer for women with hormone receptor positive, but HER2- negative breast cancer. It will
give them a better quality of life and more time with their loved ones.'
Richard Egan of the University of Otago says 'As cancer has gone from what people used to unfairly think was a death
sentence to a chronic disease, we’re starting to think more about survivors, people living well with cancer and past
cancer. That change affects individuals, public health and the economy. Survivorship is impacting the rest of society.'
He points out as survival rates improve thanks to earlier detection and improved treatment, there is a need to address
the growing effects of breast cancer among the workforce.