Dr Jackie Blue
National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman

20 March 2007

Herceptin decision based on dollars not sense

It comes as no surprise that DHBs have agreed provisionally to fund nine weeks of combination Herceptin treatment, says National’s Associate Health spokeswoman, Dr Jackie Blue.

"As a former breast physician, I’m very worried about this delay in getting world's best care for New Zealand women.

“I believe this decision was made some time ago and the so called public consultation period is another delaying tactic.

“Its appalling that this funding decision has been so ill informed.

“The fact is the nine week combination Herceptin treatment that Pharmac is offering is unproven and based on a very small sample of women in a Finnish trial.

“What is not clear from today's announcement is how the clinical trial will work. Will some women get 12-month Herceptin in order to allow authorities to compare the two regimes?

"Does Pharmac realise that some women will take the free nine-week course and then pay for the 12 month course? What affect will that have on their programme?

"The wider issue here is New Zealanders getting access to affordable life-saving drugs. We continue to fall behind Australia and the rest of the world," says Dr Blue.

ENDS

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