Posted by Michael Wonder on 13 Sep 2018
PHARMAC defends position not to fund bowel cancer drug
14 September 2018 - PHARMAC is defending its position to not fund a drug recommended to patients with late-stage bowel cancer who react severely to regular chemotherapy drugs.
The patients' doctors have recommended an alternative drug - Tomudex - not funded by the national drug-buyer, which they can only get if they pay for it privately or qualify for funding under the "exceptional circumstances" model.
Director of operations Lisa Williams told Morning Report 250 patients a year could potentially react to standard medication so those that do are not exceptional and do not qualify for special funding.
