We would greatly value your views on patient involvement with the assessment and reimbursement of treatments in NZ. Click to begin the survey (please share to encourage others to provide feedback). http://bit.ly/capprePAG Please support the voice of patients, by taking part in this survey which aims to understand what cancer patient advocacy groups know about […]
2020
2020 Election request for New Zealand Politician’s
Cancer is the leading cause of death in New Zealand and lung cancer is NZ’s biggest cancer killer, claiming more lives every year than, breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma. Government and health leaders, pledge to deliver world class cancer care, yet we are falling well short of this goal in New Zealand. As we […]
Daughter shaves hair off to raise funds in tribute to her mum, following lung cancer diagnosis
We so appreciate the amazing support of Evie Peace, together with her family and friends, for their generous fundraising, in conjunction with a head shave, in tribute to Evie’s very brave mother, Heather Stewart. Heather has been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. We recognise, mother and grandmother; Heather Stewart […]
HEALTH Waikato school bus driver forced to self-fund cancer drug Keytruda after Pharmac postpones support
Access to healthcare is a “basic right”, yet rationing by delay to standard of care medicines, continues in NZ. This is causing premature death for countless patients. The ongoing delay by Pharmac to reimburse immunotherapy in first line NSCLC is causing a (preventable) humanitarian crisis, whereby up to 30 patients per week are dying prematurely […]
Without Keytruda, 30 deaths a week from lung cancer
We acknowledge this Radio NZ follow-up report by Guyon Espiner. We also acknowledge Medical Oncologist, Dr Laird Cameron for his leadership by speaking about the inequity that exists in NZ with access to precision medicines, namely immunotherapy. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/415797/without-keytruda-30-deaths-a-week-in-nz-from-cancer-lung-foundation?fbclid=IwAR0IrzmOPsZ7mE3g5B4Du-2lhQC4_5Ly5pY8mqSPjaFQmL5jOW56YVi_hbA
Letter to Pharmac from Prof. Tony Mok, a world-renowned expert in precision medicine for lung cancer.
Professor Tony Mok of Hong Kong wrote to Pharmac in support of Lung Foundation New Zealand, because he was deeply concerned to hear the proposed Request for Proposal (RFP) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been further delayed. Click to view his letter – CU Medicine-active link
Lung Foundation’s Advocacy Priorities
OVER 1800 KIWIS DIE FROM LUNG CANCER EVERY YEAR. LUNG CANCER IS NEW ZEALAND’S DEADLIEST CANCER. Treatment of lung cancer needs to be a government priority. We need more common sense in funding; prevention, early detection and the provision of more effective treatments for lung cancer. Click to view our lung cancer advocacy flyer. lung-foundation_31148369 […]
Letter of expectations from Health Minister to Pharmac
Given the U-turn by Pharmac to progress the RFP for immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer and the insipid excuse offered by Pharmac, we felt it was timely to review the governments letter of expectations, issued by Dr David Clark, Minister of Health, to Steve Maharey (Chair of Pharmac) regarding Pharmac’s key priorities for the 2019/2020 […]
Pharmac backtracks RFP for immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer
LFNZ was absolutely gobsmacked to be informed the RFP for immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer had been put on hold by Pharmac. This is another blow for patients with lung cancer, who have no time to wait. Click to view the letter from Pharmac – 2020-04-20 Sarah Fitt letter to Philip Hope re RFP update […]
Pharmac urged to fund treatments for lung cancer
Just prior to the lockdown, Lung Foundation NZ, CEO, Philip Hope, met with Sarah Fitt (CEO) and Steve Maharey (Chair), of Pharmac, concerning the ongoing delay to fund lung cancer treatments which is causing a (preventable) humanitarian crisis. It is unacceptable, 30 patients are dying prematurely every week in NZ, when treatments could be available […]
