Crowd turns out to support Theresa Zame at protest about proposed changes to medicine law

More than 50 people joined Gisborne woman Theresa Zame (seated, front) — who is living with stage four lung cancer — yesterday to protest proposed changes to New Zealand’s medicine laws that could have a disastrous impact on her health. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Gisborne was a symphony of car horns at lunchtime yesterday as a group of more than 50 people gathered to protest about proposed changes to the country’s medicine laws.

The lunchtime demonstration at Heipipi Endeavour Park was organised by Theresa Zame who is battling the government to make changes to the Therapeutic Products Bill.

Zame imports unfunded generic medication Tagrix from Bangladesh via a humanitarian business.

She says the drug has not only extended her life, it’s also shrunk her terminal lung cancer.

If the bill goes through unamended, she will no longer be able to import the drug, which is roughly one tenth the price of the more expensive option it duplicates.

Surrounded by hoardings yesterday, Zame said she was “stoked and humbled” by the turnout.

“It’s fantastic. It’s just amazing to see the support we have locally,” she said.

“There are so many people in provincial areas who need to have a voice.”

The event was created on Facebook, and attracted people from as far afield as Rotorua.

Robyn Cameron made the four hour drive to show her support for a cause which directly impacted her as a cancer patient who was currently importing Tagrix for $1000 a month.

Since going on the drug six months ago, she described its impact as “absolutely incredible”.

A CT scan yesterday showed her cancer had shrunk, and she feared for what would happen if it was no longer available.

“Every day is a bonus. But if they make it illegal to bring it in, then we’ll have to look for something else.”

Zame also created a petition which she says clocked up 5800 signatures before it expired.

It will be presented to Parliament by Waimakariri National MP and health select committee member Matt Doocey at the end of this month when Zame marches on Parliament.

The proposed legislation also includes rules against advertisements of unfunded medicines, which could extend to channels such as Givealittle pages.

She is aware of 47 other New Zealanders who access the drug through humanitarian business Hope Pharma Connections.

Health Minister Ayesha Verrall is in charge of the bill but has turned down a previous request for comment, with her office saying it would not be appropriate while the bill remains before the Health Committee.

The minister will get a report from the Ministry of Health on submissions and proposed amendments this month.