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 to them.

We understand the root of this issue is lack of funding by government, although questions regarding evaluation processes remain.

We acknowledge, the courage of lung cancer patient, Huhana Potae of Tokomaru Bay for sharing her story, which highlights the terrible situation so many patients like her are faced with. NZ needs to do better for our most vulnerable!

We acknowledge Pharmac for meeting with our cause which is dedicated to reducing deaths to lung cancer.

Click to read –

LFNZ’s letter dated 10th March 2020 to Pharmac, which informed the meeting, held at Pharmac in Wellington.

2020 March – Lung Foundation NZ – Response to Pharmac letter 18th February 2020 [101648]

Pharmac’s letter dated 19th March 2020, which served as a formal reply to the questions asked by LFNZ.

2020-03-19 to Philip Hope re NSCLC Funding

Pharmac is an instrument of Government and the embarrassingly low level of government funding for medicines (just one third of the OECD average) reflects directly the growing waiting list for standard of care treatments.