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Funding required for new cancer drugs unfunded by Pharmac in NZ

  • Funding has been approved by Govt - But pharmac are dragging their heels

      9 September 2019

    Hi family and friends,

    sorry this is a long post but I really need your help (again), it should only take 5 minutes of your time 🙏

    We need to act fast though, this needs to be done before the end of THIS week!

    I'm response to the great news that Fulvestrant will be funded it has now come to light that this will not happen for the best part of a year! I am currently paying $1000.00 per month for this drug.

    So we are lobbying Pharmac now to push for funding to happen a lot quicker than this.

    Could I ask you to help me by sending a quick email to Pharmac?

    This needs to be done by the end of this week.

    Below are the things you need to mention (1-4).

    1. I fully support this proposal to fund Fulvestrant

    2. I know a close friend/family etc who needs this immediately

    3. Please provide this funding now under Section 29 of the Medicines Act

    4. Ask Medsafe to FAST TRACK it’s approval processes for Fulvestrant

    Feel free to add any personal message regarding myself and many other New Zealand women dealing with the stress and burden of financing this and of course those others who simply cannot afford to due to the cost.

    Please email consult@pharmac.govt.nz

    Use the heading on your email RESPONSE TO FULVESTRANT CONSULTATION

    Thanks so much for reading this far and helping if you can.

    Denise

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  • Changes to Cancer Management and Funding in NZ

      4 September 2019

    Wonderful news this week from NZ Govt. They are going to put in place a central agency to manage NZ's approach to cancer. This means that how the health of NZ'ers with cancer will no longer be managed by local DHB's and should result in Kiwi's across NZ getting the same level of care. This has long been advocated. And is very good news.

    On top of this the drug Fulvestrant, which has previously been unfunded in NZ will be funded potentially from as early as November 2019. I currently pay $900.00 every month for this drug - so I am delighted to know that soon I will not have to.

    The other drug I need to fund is Ibrance at $6000.00 per month. This drug is under consideration and will potentially be paid for by April 2020.

    This is all great news, and hopefully this new management and focus will mean good things for all NZer's with cancer and their families in the future.

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  • Pharmac agrees to fund new drugs for some cancers from 1 Dec 2019.

      12 August 2019

    This is great news for many cancer patients.

    Unfortunately these are not the drugs that I use each month. Fulvestrant remains unrecognised by Pharmac and Ibrance is still sitting in their 'wait' pile.

    For information on the drugs that Pharmac has approved from 1 Dec 2019 please follow this link -https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/patient-advocates-celebrate-pharmacs-proposal-fund-breast-cancer-drug-kadcyla

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  • National Party announce fund for new cancer drugs and national agency

      28 July 2019

    I hope they keep this promise. In the meantime - I hope it puts pressure on our current government who took the high ground on wellbeing, to also get into action on this issue. Something they did promise prior to coming into government.

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  • funding target drops! New Target $45,000

      24 July 2019

    My target to save to is now lower. Yay. Southern Cross will come through with $10K per year for 'chemo' like drugs if they are Med approved and my KiwiSaver will pay out as well. So that nails down a substantial sum for me of $30K -

    So new target is $45K.

    Again, thank you for all the help you have given. I do appreciate it.

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  • What's happening at the moment

      13 July 2019

    Hi

    A quick update. My Radiation oncology team are working through my radiation plan. I had 7 planned and have now progressed through 3. 4 more planned for next week.

    The following week I go and see my Medical Oncologist and we will begin discussions on the new drugs. So excited that the drugs are available in NZ. Shame the cost - but thank goodness that a new generation of drugs are coming through.

    Come on NZ Govt - pick up the game for everyone needing newer drugs and support.

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  • thank you

      7 July 2019

    Hi and thank you to everyone who has helped me. I have also been given one month supply of Fulvestrant from another person, which usually costs about $990 each month. So what a great bonus.

    Please share my page far and wide if you feel comfortable to do so.

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