Dr Jackie Blue
National Party MP
20 October 2005

National MP supports access to Herceptin

National Party MP and breast specialist Dr Jackie Blue is supporting the call from the Breast Cancer Advocacy Coalition to open up access to Herceptin, a drug that is effective in HER2 positive breast cancer.

"A ground-breaking trial published in the New England Medical Journal shows a 46% reduction in breast cancer returning when newly diagnosed women are treated with standard chemotherapy, followed by Herceptin.

"Studies have shown that HER2 positive breast cancer is aggressive.

“For the 30% of women who are diagnosed with this type of breast cancer, they feel like the clock is ticking and they are in a 'when' not 'if ' scenario," says Dr Blue.

It has been estimated that it would cost Pharmac $30 million to fund Herceptin.

“Pharmac needs to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Herceptin. Early treatment will save lives and money by avoiding the need for expensive terminal care,” Dr Blue says.

ENDS

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