Dr Jackie Blue
National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman
16 February 2007

Hodgson – stick to your word on Herceptin

National’s Associate Health spokeswoman, Dr Jackie Blue, is calling for the Health Minister to stick to his word and take the advice of oncologists when deciding on funding for Herceptin.

Pharmac has committed to running a trial, which will compare nine-week and 12-month treatment options. But cancer experts are still debating the issue.

“I’m anticipating New Zealand’s oncologists will come out in favour of what is the international best practice – a 12-month course of Herceptin.

“Yesterday in the House, Pete Hodgson said he would take the advice of cancer experts. He must stick to his word.

“It is disappointing that so many other countries have funded Herceptin without question, while Labour’s drug-buying agency is content to gamble with the lives of Kiwi women.

“Women involved in this trial must be given a choice of what course of Herceptin to take.

“If they would rather not become a lab rat, they must be offered the 12-month treatment, which is the standard of international care.

“Anything else would be unethical.”

ENDS

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