A plan to provide free access to a “miracle drug” for cancer until Pharmac funding kicks in has been blocked in a move cancer organisations are calling “gutting” and “deeply disappointing”. The decision means some people diagnosed in the next two months will have to go on to less effective treatments, which will make them ineligible to receive the best treatment once it becomes available. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora said it would not provide the treatment earlier as it would not be appropriate when wait lists are being assembled based on clinical need.
The Government is set to fund pembrolizumab, known as Keytruda, for five more cancers: head and neck, triple negative breast cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Keytruda has previously been hailed as a “miracle drug” by some users, including those who have had to pay $100,000 out of pocket or through medical insurance for treatment..