Latest news with #GeraldineMacGibbon
Otago Daily Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Cancer patients welcome Pharmac boost
By Rachel Helyer Donaldson of RNZ Cancer specialists and patients with advanced melanoma have welcomed the news that three potentially life-saving skin cancer medicines are to be funded from 1 June. The state drug-buying agency Pharmac announced on Friday it would fund more medicines for people with late stage skin cancer (stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma). The decision includes widening access to pembrolizumab (branded as Keytruda), and funding dabrafenib, (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist), for the first time. Pharmac director pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon said the move would help 285 people by preventing their cancer from spreading or coming back. Melanoma NZ trustee and oncologist Dr Rosalie Stephens said the drugs were "both life-saving and life extending" and the decision was "welcome news". "I think this news will come as a huge relief because New Zealanders with melanoma are well-informed. They know the impact that these medicines are having overseas and stakeholders have been asking for this decision for some time, so psychologically I think there will be a huge degree of relief. "And also psychosocially, more broadly, as it will have a big impact on people's financial status because many New Zealanders have been paying out of pocket for these important medicines." Aucklander Fin Bergin, who was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in September 2024, agreed the funding would make a huge difference. After two surgeries, the 28-year-old had been paying for the immunotherapy medicine combination of dabrafenib and trametinib, through a combination of personal savings, parental and family support, and donations through a Givealittle page. "This [funded treatment] will... put me at ease, because the biggest stress since my diagnosis has been money related." Stephens said it had been a "10-year progress" to get some of the medicines funded, and cancer specialists had felt "anxious about the gap, particularly when we compare ourselves to similar health systems, notably Australia and the UK". But she added engagement with Pharmac over the past year had left her feeling "much more positive". "We've had really constructive engagement, I would say. So yes, there's been the frustration. But we have really seen improvements and the transparency of the process, and we're pleased for that and we hope that continues." Minister of Health Simeon Brown said National campaigned on boosting Pharmac funding to cover 13 additional cancer treatments and this week's announcement meant that, come 1 June, this would be achieved.
Otago Daily Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
New cancer drugs get Pharmac boost
By Rachel Helyer Donaldson of RNZ Cancer specialists and patients with advanced melanoma have welcomed the news that three potentially life-saving skin cancer medicines are to be funded from 1 June. The state drug-buying agency Pharmac announced on Friday it would fund more medicines for people with late stage skin cancer (stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma). The decision includes widening access to pembrolizumab (branded as Keytruda), and funding dabrafenib, (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist), for the first time. Pharmac director pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon said the move would help 285 people by preventing their cancer from spreading or coming back. Melanoma NZ trustee and oncologist Dr Rosalie Stephens said the drugs were "both life-saving and life extending" and the decision was "welcome news". "I think this news will come as a huge relief because New Zealanders with melanoma are well-informed. They know the impact that these medicines are having overseas and stakeholders have been asking for this decision for some time, so psychologically I think there will be a huge degree of relief. "And also psychosocially, more broadly, as it will have a big impact on people's financial status because many New Zealanders have been paying out of pocket for these important medicines." Aucklander Fin Bergin, who was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in September 2024, agreed the funding would make a huge difference. After two surgeries, the 28-year-old had been paying for the immunotherapy medicine combination of dabrafenib and trametinib, through a combination of personal savings, parental and family support, and donations through a Givealittle page. "This [funded treatment] will... put me at ease, because the biggest stress since my diagnosis has been money related." Stephens said it had been a "10-year progress" to get some of the medicines funded, and cancer specialists had felt "anxious about the gap, particularly when we compare ourselves to similar health systems, notably Australia and the UK". But she added engagement with Pharmac over the past year had left her feeling "much more positive". "We've had really constructive engagement, I would say. So yes, there's been the frustration. But we have really seen improvements and the transparency of the process, and we're pleased for that and we hope that continues." Minister of Health Simeon Brown said National campaigned on boosting Pharmac funding to cover 13 additional cancer treatments and this week's announcement meant that, come 1 June, this would be achieved.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Feedback sought on proposed Covid-19 medicine changes
At present, Pharmac funds two antivirals for Covid-19 - Paxlovid and Remdesivir. Pharmac is seeking public feedback on a proposal to simplify the criteria for people to receive Covid-19 antiviral medicines. The state drug-buying agency says the change would mean all people aged over 50 who catch Covid-19, and are determined to be at high risk, can be prescribed funded antivirals. At present, Pharmac funds two antivirals for Covid-19 - Paxlovid and Remdesivir. "We're also proposing to change how we manage the funding and supply of these medicines," director of pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon said. Pharmacies and public hospitals would be able to order what they needed from wholesalers, and claim back the costs from Pharmac. At present, Pharmac buys the antivirals and supplies them to pharmacies and public hospitals at no cost. MacGibbon said the change would align the process for Covid-19 drugs with other funded medicines. "We need your feedback to tell us if this proposal will meet the needs of New Zealanders who need access to this medicine. Your input is valuable to us and has an impact on the decisions we make," MacGibbon said. Consultation was open now until Friday, 30 May. If approved the changes would take effect from 1 September and 1 October. Last year, RNZ reported fewer pharmacists were stocking Covid-19 antiviral medication after funding cuts.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Feedback sought on proposed Covid-19 medicine changes
At present, Pharmac funds two antivirals for Covid-19 - Paxlovid and Remdesivir. Photo: AFP /DPA Pharmac is seeking public feedback on a proposal to simplify the criteria for people to receive Covid-19 antiviral medicines. The state drug-buying agency says the change would mean all people aged over 50 who catch Covid-19, and are determined to be at high risk, can be prescribed funded antivirals. At present, Pharmac funds two antivirals for Covid-19 - Paxlovid and Remdesivir. "We're also proposing to change how we manage the funding and supply of these medicines," director of pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon said. Pharmacies and public hospitals would be able to order what they needed from wholesalers, and claim back the costs from Pharmac. At present, Pharmac buys the antivirals and supplies them to pharmacies and public hospitals at no cost. MacGibbon said the change would align the process for Covid-19 drugs with other funded medicines. "We need your feedback to tell us if this proposal will meet the needs of New Zealanders who need access to this medicine. Your input is valuable to us and has an impact on the decisions we make," MacGibbon said. Consultation was open now until Friday, 30 May. If approved the changes would take effect from 1 September and 1 October. Last year, RNZ reported fewer pharmacists were stocking Covid-19 antiviral medication after funding cuts. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
