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New Zealand’s Breast Special Interest Group (BSIG) has written to the Health Select Committee saying many breast cancer patients who can’t afford to pay for certain medicines themselves have shorter lives and poorer quality of life.

The committee is considering two petitions from Metavivors calling for the funding of two medicines for advanced breast cancer – Ibrance and Kadcyla.

The submission is signed by BSIG group chair Dr Reuben Broom and secretary Dr Sarah Barton, and calls for more money for  PHARMAC to give those with breast cancer more treatment options at affordable prices.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has asked Health Minister David Clark to look into early access to new medicines, after highly public calls from women with advanced breast cancer since at least October last year for medicines they need.

Malcolm Mulholland, who wrote the letter calling for a review of PHARMAC that was presented to Parliament, expresses his extreme disappointment the review request has been turned down. Health Minister David Clark shares his views, which BCAC do not agree with. 

Sue Wall-Cade and Tracy Barr-Smith are among the leaders of a push for better treatment for women with advanced breast cancer, also known as Stage 4 breast cancer. They want better drugs and a review of PHARMAC.