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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