It’s wonderful news for those with HER2 positive (HER2+) advanced breast cancer (ABC) that Pharmac proposes to fund Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan, T-DXd), a breakthrough HER2-targeted medicine, from 1st January 2025.
Enhertu has been shown to keep HER2+ ABC disease stable four times longer than current treatments, and results in a longer survival time. This time is precious for New Zealand women with breast cancer and we’re delighted to see that Enhertu will be funded.
Pharmac proposes to make Enhertu available after the ABC has progressed on other HER2-targeted treatments or if it has progressed to advanced stage within 6 months of anti-HER2 treatment for early-stage breast cancer. People now paying to be treated with Enhertu in private clinics will be able to switch to publicly funded treatment from 1st January. Those being treated with Kadcyla at that date will be able to transition to Enhertu.
While Pharmac’s proposal will provide longer healthier lives for many it has some gaps. In our BCAC response to the consultation on the proposal we have provided evidence that there are others who should be eligible for funding. We’ve also submitted that there is an ongoing role for Kadcyla, a medicine that Pharmac proposes to stop providing for HER2+ ABC.
We’ve reminded Pharmac that, as with other medicines, some people will experience unmanageable or intolerable side-effects on Enhertu and they should be able to switch to Kadcyla treatment. Importantly, the proposal leaves out those who have previously experienced disease progression on Kadcyla. We’ve asked Pharmac to extend funding to these patients given very strong clinical trial evidence that they would benefit from Enhertu, with the cancer remaining stable for 2.6 times longer on Enhertu than on other treatments.
We’ve also asked Pharmac to urgently review a recent submission to fund Enhertu for the 38% of those with ABC whose cancer is HER2-low. Trials have shown that HER2-low cancers remained stable for twice as long when treated with Enhertu than with other chemotherapy options.
We’re asking that Enhertu be provided for everyone who will gain more time with their families, in their jobs and communities.
Read our response to Pharmac’s Enhertu funding proposal here.
27th September 2024
