Pharmac announces plan to fund cancer drugs Kadcyla and Alecensa
The national drug funding agency are proposing that by December 1 Kadcyla, for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer, and Alecensa for positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer will be made publicly available. A drug that treats relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, known as Ocrevus, is also planned to be funded. They say they are seeking public feedback on the proposal to fund the three drugs by August 2019. All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by Pharmac's Board (or its delegate) prior to making the final decision on this proposal. This comes after a long-standing fight from advocacy groups and New Zealanders dying of cancer campaigning for the lives it could extend and save. Earlier this year Lung Cancer Foundation chief executive Philip Hope said five people die of the disease every day while a further six are diagnosed. It launched a petition calling for more and fairer funding from Pharmac, given the number of deaths caused by lung cancer each year. Hope said currently lung cancer drugs get $2,771,115.00 - or 2.3 per cent - of funding. More than 600 Kiwi women die each year from breast cancer, the nation's third most common form of cancer. Funding applications still pending include for Ibrutinib and Venetoclax for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; Lenalidomide for multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer; for Lynparza and Avastin to be funded for ovarian cancer; six drugs for myeloma; Myozyme for late onset Pompe disease, a rare and fatal metabolic disorder; and medications including Keytruda, Osimertinib and Crizotinib for advanced lung cancer.
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Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.5% Yes! New Year, New Me
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19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.6% Nah - not for me
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Andy Warhole Triple Elvis at Auckland Art Gallery
Something different and worth visiting, See special for Elvis Fans below
Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
One of the most iconic artistic tributes to The King is now on display at Auckland Art Gallery
Andy Warhol’s Triple Elvis — a legendary artwork that helped shape Elvis Presley’s image as a global pop culture icon — is a standout highlight of Pop to Present: American Art from Virginia Museum of Fine Arts , a landmark exhibition of American art.
This is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a work that celebrates Elvis’s enduring legacy, alongside masterpieces by Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein, Mark Rothko and more.
✨ Don’t miss your chance to see Elvis through Warhol’s eyes. ✨
Special promotions
Quadruple Elvis Comeback Special: Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 January 2026
In honour of Andy Warhol's Triple Elvis, featured in Pop to Present, we're holding a special promotion to celebrate The King of Rock and Roll's birthday.
Inspired by Warhol's work, the Gallery invites you to become the art and take it from a Triple Elvis to a Quadruple Elvis. From Thursday 8 January to Sunday 11 January, anyone who comes dressed in their best Elvis getup will receive 50% off their entry to Pop to Present. Think: sunglasses, sideburns and slicked hair. Dust off the jumpsuit and leather jacket or even an Elvis Tee Shirt, and join us for a weekend of Pop-inspired fun.
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