Pharmac is being called out for trailing behind Australia when it comes to funding breast cancer drug, Ibrance.
It allows patients to work while taking it and avoid chemotherapy.
- Woman's desperate plea to Pharmac to fund $6000/month cancer drug
- Breast cancer sufferer fighting for life-extending drugs wants Pharmac inquiry
- Women with breast cancer call for life-extending drugs funding in New Zealand
Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive Evangelia Henderson told Newshub Pharmac must take note.
"Not only have [Australia] got Ibrance funded but they actually have other drugs like it funded."
Excuses that Ibrance is too expensive are a cop out, Henderson said, pointing out the fact the drug comes in tablet form means it could work out as cheaper.
"They're saving indirect costs for the country, they're saving bed time, they're saving infusion time, they're saving hospitals."
Pharmac says Ibrance is one of many medicines currently being considered.
Breast cancer advocate Elisa Lavelle Wijohn told the AM Show in March she wants to see Pharmac's funding doubled so more people can take drugs like Ibrance.
She's currently paying $5850 a month for the drug privately.
"We need an inquiry into Pharmac, we need these drugs funded, but really, I think what we need is the budget for Pharmac to be doubled," she said.
Newshub.
