Cancer funding ‘amazing’ news

Kiwis living with the rare form of cancer called neuroendocrine say they are relieved after Pharmac recommended their treatment should be available in New Zealand.

New Zealanders with the disease currently have to pay for Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) in Australia.

This week, a Pharmac advisory committee recommended the treatment should be provided for.

Aucklander Jess Spence, who has spent $160,000 to keep herself alive over the past two years, said it was ‘‘amazing’’ news.

‘‘It’s hard to process how much of an impact that will have. If it is up and running by the next time I need treatment in nine months the difference would be huge. Just to sleep in my own bed would make a massive difference.’’

Siobhan Conroy from the Unicorn Foundation, which has campaigned for the PRRT treatment to be funded in New Zealand, said the decision by the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee was a ‘‘massive development’’.

‘‘However, we still have to go through the final Pharmac committee who rank all recommended treatments to agree on when PRRT can start. We will be working with Pharmac and clinicians to gather all the information required to get this over the line as quickly as possible. This decision will transform the lives of many Kiwis and their families.’’

Last week, chief executive Sarah Fitt said there were many factors to weigh up due to the special features of PRRT, including its radioactive components.

‘‘There are considerable implementation issues that need to be addressed before a funding decision could be made. Issues such as making sure there are appropriate nuclear medicine facilities and clinical expertise available for administration need to be managed by the Ministry of Health and district health boards.’’

This decision will transform the lives of many Kiwis and their families.