5 July 2019 - DHBs look set to have some of their autonomy taken away when it comes to treating cancer.

More than 80,000 Kiwis have signed a petition asking for the Government to set up a national cancer agency, with growing concerns the level of care here has slipped behind what's on offer overseas.

The Government has so far resisted pressure to tell Pharmac to spend-up on cancer drugs that Australians and Canadians have subsidised access to, respecting its independence.

"The gap between New Zealand and comparative countries like Canada, Australia and the UK is just getting bigger and bigger," oncologist Chris Jackson told The AM Show on Friday.

Read Newshub article