7 August 2008
Herceptin Decision A Disgrace - Peters
New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters has labelled Pharmac's decision to once again decline funding for a 12
month course of the breast cancer drug Herceptin as a disgrace which is denying New Zealand women an internationally
standard treatment.
"New Zealand women with early stage breast cancer are now left with a half-way-house 9 week treatment period funded by
Pharmac or a hefty bill if they wish to fund a full 12 month Herceptin treatment at their own expense,” said Mr Peters
"Not only are there 32 other countries who have adopted the 12 month course, but the Ministry of Health's Medsafe has
also provisionally approved Herceptin on the basis of such a programme.
"It is only right that New Zealand women expect the same treatment as the rest of the developed world. Pharmac has
provided an unethical choice to women with breast cancer and they have every reason to be angry with this decision.
“This is just one more chapter in Pharmac’s abominable handling of a very serious issue,” said Mr Peters.
ENDS