Posted by Michael Wonder on 24 Aug 2017
Bitter pill to swallow: potentially life-saving drugs remain unfunded for more than a decade
23 August 2017 - A breast cancer drug known to extend life for up to eight months has languished for more than 10 years on Pharmac's waiting list.
It is one of nearly 100 drugs which have been positively recommended for funding but remain stuck behind red-tape, some up to 11 years.
As of February, 94 medicines for 118 illnesses were awaiting funding by PHARMAC, according to data collated by lobby group Medicines New Zealand.
