Foundation disappointed in Herceptin decision

MEDIA STATEMENT
7 August 2008

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation disappointed in PHARMAC’s Herceptin decision

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is disappointed with PHARMAC’s decision to deny funding of a full 12 month course of Herceptin for woman with early stage HER2 positive breast cancer.

PHARMAC today announced that it will be sticking to its original decision to fund a nine-week course of treatment. The announcement follows a PHARMAC review as ordered by the High Court in April.

Dr Belinda Scott, breast surgeon and Chair of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation’s Medical Advisory Committee, says that there is limited scientific evidence to suggest a nine-week plan is adequate.

“There is a wealth of research to support efficacy of a 12 month course but little to support this seemingly arbitrary nine-week timeframe. We hope PHARMAC will reconsider this decision as further evidence comes to light”.

“This is a sad day for woman with early stage HER2 positive breast cancer, their families and the New Zealand community,” she says.

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation will continue to support and review all new data as it becomes available.

ENDS

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