Govt Expands Access to Cancer Medicines Through Pharmac Funding Boost

“Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the government,” Mr. Seymour stated.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown have welcomed Pharmac's announcement to fund medicines for five additional health conditions, including various cancers, starting from 1 March 2025. This decision comes as part of the government's broader initiative to enhance cancer care through a $604 million funding uplift.

"Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the government," Mr. Seymour stated. "Today represents another step forward for cancer patients as the $604 million uplift from the government continues to facilitate access to new treatments. Pharmac continues to show what it is capable of when given the support it needs."

Details of the New Funding

Pharmac's decision includes:

• Widening access to atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and bevacizumab (Vegzelma) for liver cancer that cannot be removed surgically.
• Widening access to bevacizumab (Vegzelma) for advanced ovarian cancer.
• Funding a new brand of bevacizumab (Vegzelma) to increase availability.
• Funding lanreotide for neuroendocrine cancers, cancer-related bowel blockages, and the growth disorder acromegaly.

"The early signs of Pharmac's redirection remain positive, as expanding opportunities and access for patients and their families continue to be prioritised," Mr Seymour added. "I'm pleased to see Pharmac's responsiveness to the voices of patients and their families by expanding access to more medicines for more groups. This decision reflects our commitment to a more adaptable and patient-centered approach."

Government's Commitment to Cancer Care

Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized that delivering better and faster access to cancer care has been a key focus for the current government.

"As Minister of Health, I am focused on ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare," Mr. Brown said. "That means ensuring better access to more cancer medicines, better cancer management driven by our faster cancer treatment target, and earlier detection of cancers through screening programmes."

Mr. Brown highlighted recent improvements in cancer care delivery, noting that more patients received their first cancer treatment within 31 days in the first financial quarter compared to the previous quarter.

"It is encouraging to see improvement in our efforts to provide faster cancer treatment, with more treatments now available," Mr. Brown noted.

Building a World-Class Health System

"We want to build a world-class health system, and that requires world-class medicines," Mr. Seymour concluded. "This funding decision is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for all New Zealanders."

The new funding is expected to benefit thousands of patients and marks a critical step in addressing the growing need for comprehensive cancer care in New Zealand.