KEY POINTS:
ACT has joined the chorus from political parties criticising Pharmac, the Government's drug-buying agency, for deciding not to fund Herceptin for 12-month treatments for early stage breast cancer.
Pharmac said yesterday a fresh review of scientific and other information had failed to convince it that the longer course offered any additional benefits over the nine-week treatment it did fund.
National has been saying it would fund the 12-month courses if it won the general election later this year because cancer experts backed the move.
But Health Minister David Cunliffe said he could not lawfully direct Pharmac to fund a 12-month course, and he accused National of ignoring scientific evidence.
ACT's health spokeswoman Heather Roy believed it was not about evidence, but a lack of money.
"Ministers can move heaven and earth at a rapid pace when they need to avoid political embarrassment," Mrs Roy said.
"Pharmac's decision yesterday is a financial one fostered by nine years of Labour driving our economy into the ground."
Mrs Roy said the solution was to increase the economy so money was available for quality medications.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters labelled Pharmac's decision as "a disgrace which is denying New Zealand women an internationally standard treatment".
"New Zealand women with early stage breast cancer are now left with a halfway house nine-week treatment period ... or a hefty bill if they wish to fund a full 12-month Herceptin treatment at their own expense.
"This is just one more chapter in Pharmac's abominable handling of a very serious issue."
Pharmac chief executive Matthew Brougham said New Zealanders were fortunate that decision-making on drug-funding had been removed from politicians and relied instead on scientific evidence.
"It's not about who can scream the loudest and who can make the most noise," he said.
Mr Brougham said Pharmac remained open to re-evaluating its position if new evidence emerged.
- NZPA
