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Herceptin Decision Unethical – Peters
Media Release
03 May 2007
Herceptin Decision
Unethical – Peters
New Zealand First leader Winston
Peters says the decision to fund a larger nine-week trial of
Herceptin for women with early breast cancer is unethical
and based on unsound research by Pharmac.
"A total of 23 First World countries have Herceptin available on the basis of 12 months' treatment, and not some mythical nine-week treatment dreamt up by Pharmac," said Mr Peters.
"Why is it that while every other country offering this trial provide women with a standard treatment of 12 months, Pharmac is insisting that New Zealand women will receive equal results by being coerced into a nine-week trial?
"Furthermore, the Ministry of Health's Medsafe has provisionally approved Herceptin on the basis of a 12 month trial only.
"The decision raises serious questions over Pharmac's decision-making processes, and I would urge the Minister to step in and address this thoroughly unethical choice being offered to women with breast cancer," concluded Mr Peters.
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