Wider access to cancer drug from July

District Health Boards (DHBs) will spend $12 million over five years to widen access to some cancer treatments , Government drug buying agency Pharmac announced today.

From July 1, rituximab would be funded for patients with indolent, low-grade, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie said.

The drug is already available at DHBs for other forms of lymphoma.

About 200 more patients per year would now receive funded treatment, Dr Moodie said.

The move was significant for lymphoma treatment and would extend the life-expectancy of many patients, he said.

A pharmaceutical funding increase of $40 million in the Government's budget last month contributed to the decision to further fund rituximab, Dr Moodie said.

- NZPA