Barbara Stewart MP

Spokesperson for Health
29 JUNE 2016

Stalling by Govt on Keytruda a Failure

The Pharmac decision to fund the drug Keytruda should have been made much earlier, says New Zealand First.

“Had the government moved to update Pharmac’s objectives the state drug funding agency could have moved to fund Keytruda quickly,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Instead, New Zealanders suffering from melanoma were forced to lobby for their lives.

“This is especially appalling given New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma in the world.

“Keytruda highlights the need to update Pharmac’s legislated objectives and functions that were set 15 years ago.

“New Zealand First wants to prudently fund choices for taxpayers at their most vulnerable.

“The government could have picked up New Zealand First’s private member’s bill which puts the treatment of rare and life-limiting conditions by new medicines into Pharmac’s objectives and functions.

“But the government took no interest in supporting this and picking up our New Zealand Health & Disability (New Medicines & Rare Conditions) Amendment Bill.

“Australia has just updated priorities for its drug buying agency so it’s time to update Pharmac’s objectives,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

© Scoop Media