Patient advocates have criticized Health New Zealand for delaying access to a newly-funded cancer drug, calling the decision “cruel.” The drug, Keytruda, will be funded from October 1 to treat five types of cancer: head and neck, triple-negative breast, colorectal, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Malcolm Mulholland, chairperson of Patient Voice Aotearoa, expressed outrage over the situation. He revealed that Merck Sharp and Dohme, the drug’s manufacturer, had offered to provide Keytruda for free to 20 to 30 patients in the interim, but Health New Zealand blocked this offer.
“This is the most heartless and illogical decision Health New Zealand has made,” Mulholland said. “Patients with terminal cancer are being denied access to the best treatment available, which requires less infusion time compared to other treatments, simply due to Health New Zealand’s poor planning.”
He added that similar schemes have worked in the past. Last year, when Keytruda was funded for lung cancer, an early access program was set up for 150 patients. “Why can’t our hospitals handle an additional 20 to 30 patients now? This is bureaucratic madness.”
Mulholland also pointed out that some patients may deteriorate before the October funding begins, possibly making them ineligible for Keytruda.
Te Whatu Ora’s Chief Clinical Officer, Richard Sullivan, said they are seeking further advice on the situation.
In addition, Pharmac has announced plans to fund a new bowel cancer drug, cetuximab, starting in November.
Labour Party health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall criticized the government’s handling of the situation. She accused Health New Zealand of making poor decisions and delaying access to Keytruda.
“Te Whatu Ora has been offered Keytruda free of charge but is delaying its use by two months,” Verrall said. “The claim that the health system is unprepared is unfounded. Keytruda is used for eight cancers; for two of these, it would ease hospital workloads if introduced now.”
Verrall called on the government to explain why there is a two-month delay and criticized Dr. Reti for not pushing harder to secure the necessary treatments for patients.
