The cost, and a decision to make
Pharmac, the agency that decides which treatment and drugs will be subsidised, says it is reviewing an application for Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine tumours (NET).
Chief executive Sarah Fitt says: ‘‘We have received clinical advice and our clinical experts have specifically acknowledged that funding of PRRT is dependent on systems and relevant expertise being in place to support the appropriate administration of PRRT in New Zealand.
‘‘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.’’
Fitt says they have begun early conversations with the Ministry of Health to discuss how a treatment like PRRT might be able to be administered, what resources DHBs have available to do that, and what the wider systems implications of a positive funding decision could be.
The Unicorn Foundation, which supports people with NET, estimates it will cost Pharmac $1.7 million to establish a treatment facility in New Zealand, and $684,000 a year to run it.
Chief executive Siobhan Conroy says there are many Kiwis suffering with NET who are struggling to pay for a cancer treatment that is clinically proven to extend their lives and grant a good quality of life.
‘‘The results are incredible for most patients and compared to other cancer treatments this is definitely cost-effective treatment because like Jess many return to fulltime work following treatment.’’