We are really pleased after two years to now have a draft cancer plan to review and acknowledge the work that has gone into this draft plan. First up, we should record how disappointing it was, for our cause, and CANGO (Cancer Non-Governmental Organisations) of which Lung Foundation NZ is a member, to not be […]
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Our submission to the Health Select Committee
We recently presented to the Health Select Committee. Sincere thanks to the many brave patients and carers for their letters, which highlight the terrible inequity that exists for lung cancer in NZ. Click to view our submission – 2019 July – Lung Foundation NZ – Health Select Committee – Hearing for Lung Cancer Petition Petition […]
On World Lung Cancer Day Lung Foundation NZ is declaring lung cancer a National Health Emergency
Today, five New Zealanders will die from lung cancer. A state that our cause is calling a national health emergency and requires urgent corrective action from the Government. This World Lung Cancer Day we urge the government to make funding standard of care treatments a national health priority. It is a national shame that New […]
See How NZ’s Publicly-Funded Lung Cancer Treatment Options Compare
This report provides a direct comparison of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Options: New Zealand and Australia versus European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Guidelines. Sadly this report demonstrates how far behind Pharmac is with reimbursing standard of care treatments for NZ’s Biggest Cancer Killer and why lung cancer patients die prematurely in New Zealand. […]
Transcript of Guyon Espiner’s interview of Pharmac, CEO, Sarah Fitt
“There are more than a hundred medicines on the PHARMAC waiting list. Some have been there five, ten or even fifteen years. I interviewed the Chief Executive of PHARMAC, Sarah Fitt, and asked her whether she was comfortable with that. Well, if there’s other medicines that have come along and replaced it. If there’s not […]
Infographic shows why lung cancer patients are dying prematurely
New Zealand is so far behind with access to standard of care treatments it is embarrassing. Lung cancer is the most targetable cancer. However, Pharmac policy is causing our most vulnerable to die prematurely.
MARCH WITH US to DELIVER our PETITION to PARLIAMENT IN TRIBUTE to COURAGEOUS AMBASSADOR, JASON GUTTENBEIL.
WHEN: Tuesday 7 May 2019 10.45 am to 1.00 pm WHERE: Meet at the courtyard, outside Wellington Library, 65 Victoria Street. We will march to Pharmac at 40 Mercer Street, then along Willis Street and Lambton Quay, before arriving on the steps of Parliament. Click the link to view our poster – LFNZ Petition Submission […]
Staggering imbalance with cancer treatments funded by Pharmac
Despite lung cancer being NZ’s Biggest Cancer Killer, the top 3 lung cancer drugs funded by Pharmac (2017/18) equates to just 2.3% of the top 5 cancer drugs ($122 million). Click to view PDF –
Sign our Petition
Please stand with us by signing this petition. Together we can call on the Government to declare lung cancer a health priority and to approve additional budget for Pharmac to fund lung cancer medications, including Keytruda, Alectinib, Osimertinib and Crizotinib, for all Kiwis with advanced lung cancer, irrespective of socio-economic status. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_86322/petition-of-philip-hope-for-lung-foundation-new-zealand?fbclid=IwAR0Er6gNod70xvpB1kq3bBVa0LExrfq8GSWo7Gv3KvV-Jr9vwb8mL-NsrDs
Submission to Pharmac – includes letters from lung cancer patients
Lung Foundation NZ has filed a submission with Pharmac, urging them to do better for lung cancer – NZ’s Biggest Cancer Killer. A staggering imbalance exists, because of underfunding by Pharmac. For example; the top 3 lung cancer drugs reimbursed in NZ, represents less than 3% of the top 5 cancer drugs funded, despite lung […]