KEY POINTS:
Delegates at an international cancer congress were "shocked" that drug buying company Pharmac subsidises a nine-week course rather than a year-long treatment of Herceptin for breast cancer sufferers, an advocate says.
Dr Chris Walsh, part of the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition, spoke at the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) World Cancer Congress last week in Geneva.
She told delegates that New Zealand women diagnosed with early stage HER2 positive breast cancer were mortgaging their homes to pay for Herceptin.
"Many delegates are familiar with the evidence around nine weeks and 12 months and are shocked that New Zealand, perceived to be a wealthy and up to date country, does not support their women.
"They believed New Zealand had a good health system. This revelation has them thinking again."
Pharmac's policy of funding Herceptin for women in the early stages of breast cancer for nine weeks was contrary to the usual international practice of 12 months' therapy.
It reaffirmed the decision this year after being ordered by the High Court to consult more widely about whether to extend treatment to 12 months.
Dr Walsh told the congress that access to Herceptin and other medicines might well be a significant issue during this year's general election.
The biannual conference attracted 2600 cancer specialists, researchers, professionals and advocates from around the world and works to fight cancer incidence worldwide.
- NZPA
