3010 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
2 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 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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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.3% Complete
  • 20.3% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    20.3% Complete
  • 69.3% Nah - not for me
    69.3% Complete
688 votes
9 hours ago

🎉The Riddler wants to hear from you 🫵

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

🧩 Got a riddle that can stump your Neighbourly community? Share your brain teasers with us and watch your neighbours scratch their heads 😕🤔❓

Send us your tricky puzzles!

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15 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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.

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