5000 People Waiting On Pharmac Decision Tomorrow

24 July 2002

5000 People Waiting On Pharmac Decision Tomorrow

The Leukaemia and Blood Foundation says that more than 5000 New Zealanders have sent a clear message to Pharmac that they expect it to approve funding for Glivec at its board meeting tomorrow (eds: Thursday, 25 July).

That's the number of people who sent submissions to the drug funding agency in response to the SAVE THE 90 call from the foundation earlier this month. The Foundation says people want Pharmac to fully fund the drug for 90 people with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Jim Hamilton, executive director for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation, says New Zealand should be able to afford what is the most effective cancer drug yet developed.

"It's true that Glivec costs twice as much as the older treatment in use but it is at least three times as effective and puts 85 per cent of people who take it into remission.

"Quite simply, without Glivec, 90 people could die. The 5000 New Zealanders who took time out to heed our call, understand the simple economics of the value of a life."

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