Wider breast cancer drug access

Hundreds of women with early-stage breast cancer are now eligible for new-generation hormonal drugs. Pharmac has increased funding of aromatase inhibitor drugs by more than $11 million over five years.

Last month, chief executive Wayne McNee said medicines such as letrozole and anastrozole - already fully funded for women with advanced breast cancer - would be available to women with early stage breast cancer unable to take tamoxifen, the usual treatment.