3066 days ago

Medical Insurance & New Medication Funding

Pete Watt from Ministry Of Risk

Are your premiums continuing to rise? ... does your current insurer cover Non PHARMAC medications?, some do some don't ... just another good reason to talk to us ...

A new drug described as a "game changer" for women with a common and incurable type of breast cancer is now available in New Zealand - but only to those who can afford it.

Breast cancer charity Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition [BCAC] chairwoman Libby Burgess said Medsafe NZ had just approved the use of Ibrance for those with advanced hormone receptor positive and HER2-negative breast cancer.

She described Ibrance as "revolutionary" and preliminary clinical evidence for it was so strong that the United States Food and Drug Administration had fast-tracked its use in that country. The treatment essentially stops cancer cell division and growth.

"This medicine is a game changer for women with hormone receptor positive, but HER2-negative breast cancer.

"But many will still miss out on this potentially life-saving medicine because it is not publicly funded. BCAC and breast cancer patients are desperate to see PHARMAC fund Ibrance for use in our public hospitals and we hope this will happen in the near future," she said.

More messages from your neighbours
12 hours ago

🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

Do you think you know the answer?

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

Image
2 days ago

Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!

William Hansby Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.

Image
E
1 day ago

Part volunteer/paid cook required

Elsie from Pirimai

Drive Social Club requires a Cook, to purchase goods and cook a basic 2 course meal for the older members, with experience help available, every Monday morning except public holidays from mid Jan. to end Nov. at the Greenmeadow East Community Hall. For further inquiries, Phone Elsie 021 2631904