June 25, 2024
YOU helped us make change happen! Over 500 of our advocacy letters were downloaded this June urging the government to keep its promise, which helped lead to the announcement of $604m over four years in extra Pharmac funding.
Our chairperson, Stefan Corbett said on Radio NZ’s Morning Report, “This is an important step and we feel as if the government is listening to the cancer care community in NZ and we’re celebrating… certainly very pleased to see cetuximab on that list. That’s a critical treatment that we’ve been asking for, for some time.”
The National government has confirmed it will fund “up to 54” new medicines, including 26 cancer treatments. This is great news, as cetuximab will finally be funded. However, bowel cancer patients have been waiting over 20 years and want to see Pharmac act as soon as possible.
Patient voices like Mandy Grantley (pictured), who spoke out on 1News, and advocacy from charities like ours and Patient Voice Aotearoa have helped keep the pressure on. This is just the first step; time is of the essence – months can seem like a lifetime to those who need these drugs.
Mandy says, “It’s great news, as long as you don’t die between now and October when they start rolling them out. Why wait until October? Do it now. We’ve been waiting over 20 years for a new bowel drug to be funded – 20 years, now we have to wait until October?”
Whilst we celebrate this milestone, we also acknowledge all those who have bravely fought alongside us and aren’t here today. It is in your memory we continue to advocate for the cancer drugs so many need.
Stefan says, “People now know this drug will be available. Every month that we wait means frankly more unnecessary deaths. It’s very important that Pharmac now acts quickly and doesn’t delay the rollout any further.”
This is wonderful news as Bowel Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close. We need to keep the pressure on now and fight to see bowel cancer drugs funded as soon as possible. We owe it to all those that have waited so long.
Listen to Bowel Cancer NZ chairperson Stefan Corbett’s interview and our patient advocate Mandy Grantley’s here.