Friday, 10 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • đŸ”„
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > World News > New cancer drugs get Pharmac boost
World News

New cancer drugs get Pharmac boost

Last updated: May 10, 2025 8:19 am
Share
New cancer drugs get Pharmac boost
SHARE
By Rachel Helyer Donaldson of RNZ

Cancer specialists and patients with advanced melanoma are celebrating the recent announcement that three potentially life-saving skin cancer medications will be funded starting from June 1st.

Pharmac, the state drug-buying agency, revealed on Friday that it will be funding more medications for individuals with late-stage skin cancer (stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma).

This decision includes expanding access to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and providing funding for dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) for the first time.

Geraldine MacGibbon, Pharmac’s director of pharmaceuticals, stated that this move will benefit 285 individuals by preventing their cancer from spreading or recurring.

Trustee of Melanoma NZ and oncologist Dr. Rosalie Stephens expressed her excitement about the decision, highlighting the life-saving and life-extending capabilities of these drugs.

“I believe this news will bring immense relief to New Zealanders with melanoma. They are well-informed about the impact of these medications internationally, and stakeholders have been advocating for this decision for quite some time. Psychologically, I think many will feel a sense of relief.

“This funding will not only have a significant impact on people’s health but also on their financial well-being, as many have been personally funding these crucial medications.”

Auckland resident Fin Bergin, diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in September 2024, shared his thoughts on the funding, emphasizing the relief it will bring after struggling to afford treatment on his own.

“This funded treatment will ease my worries, as financial concerns have been a major source of stress since my diagnosis.”

Dr. Stephens mentioned that it took ten years of advocacy to secure funding for some of these medications, and the gap in access compared to other countries like Australia and the UK had caused anxiety among cancer specialists.

See also  Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli face off in final NJ governor debate as polls tighten dramatically

However, she noted that recent engagement with Pharmac had been positive, with improvements in transparency and process, giving hope for continued progress.

Health Minister Simeon Brown highlighted that National’s campaign to increase Pharmac funding for 13 additional cancer treatments would be fulfilled with the recent announcement, set to take effect on June 1st.

TAGGED:boostcancerDrugsPharmac
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article NASCAR insider picks Toyota driver as favorite to win 2025 Kansas Truck race NASCAR insider picks Toyota driver as favorite to win 2025 Kansas Truck race
Next Article The near joy of biking with Ray-Ban Meta glasses The near joy of biking with Ray-Ban Meta glasses
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

Tapping into the full power of music could transform our lives

Music is more than just entertainment. It has the power to regulate our mental state…

July 27, 2025

Steven Pinker’s new book shows how he’s become a contradictory figure

Steven Pinker argues that “cancel culture” is a form of censorship Jean-Christian Bourcart/Getty Images When…

September 23, 2025

An Ancient Statue of a Roman Emperor Will Finally Be Reunited With Its Head

The head of an ancient bronze statue depicting a Roman emperor is set to be…

December 16, 2024

New Jersey parents can be fined and charged for children unruly behavior, Gloucester Township ordinance rules

The Township of Gloucester in New Jersey has implemented a new ordinance that holds parents…

August 9, 2025

Man charged with shooting Roscoe Village resident

A 35-year-old Naperville man, Saifullah Diab, has been charged with shooting a 53-year-old Roscoe Village…

May 3, 2025

You Might Also Like

Katie Porter verbally abused then-husband in explicit tirade: ‘F–king idiot,’ and ‘too f–king dumb’ to operate a phone, court docs say
World News

Katie Porter verbally abused then-husband in explicit tirade: ‘F–king idiot,’ and ‘too f–king dumb’ to operate a phone, court docs say

October 10, 2025
Cybersecurity agency that clashed with Trump one of the first hit with federal firings due to government shutdown
World News

Cybersecurity agency that clashed with Trump one of the first hit with federal firings due to government shutdown

October 10, 2025
RFK Jr. says circumcisions linked to autism — here’s the truth behind the shocking claim
World News

RFK Jr. says circumcisions linked to autism — here’s the truth behind the shocking claim

October 10, 2025
In a First, Pig Liver Helped a Cancer Patient Survive for More Than a Month
Tech and Science

In a First, Pig Liver Helped a Cancer Patient Survive for More Than a Month

October 10, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?