New Pharmac drugs will 'significantly' impact quality of life for cancer patients - PM
New drugs for lung cancer and breast cancer, as well as a new treatment for multiple sclerosis will be funded by Pharmac, the Government announced today. In addition, access to a treatment for respiratory disease - pirfenidone, known by brand name Esbriet - will be widened. The drugs for non-small cell lung cancer and HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer will be available from December 1. Health Minister David Clark said the drug funding would help 420 people, "including people living with advanced cancer". "Pharmac is currently consulting on three more cancer drugs - olaparib (Lynparza) for ovarian cancer, fulvestrant (Faslodex) for breast cancer and venetoclax (Venclexta) for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia," he said in a statement. The drugs funded from December 1 will be alectinib, known as Alecensa, for ALK positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer and trastuzumab emtansine, which goes by brand name Kadcyla, for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer.
"It will take time to modernise our approach to cancer care and control and improve survival rates, but today signifies good progress on the delivery of our plan," Mr Clark said.
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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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10.6% Yes! New Year, New Me
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21% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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68.4% Nah - not for me
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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85.1% Same!
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14.9% Would have liked to try something different
Elvis in the Park
Elvis in the Park. 11th January from 11am till 5pm. Cranwell Park in Henderson. Free Family day out. Check out the Classic Cars and Hot Rods. Bring your chairs, sun tan lotion, water, and your smile. We are celebrating Elvis' 91st Birthday. Any questions ph Jackie 0274901126. Park at Tui Glen as easy walk over bridge to Cranwell Park
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