A little progress, but not enough
A little progress, but not enough
3 March 2021
Patients worry the Government's Pharmac review won't create meaningful change to Kiwis' access to life-changing drugs.
The report, due in December, won't cover budgets or re-examine any funding decisions it's already made.
Chloe Irvine managed to crowd fund 70-thousand-dollars for a breast cancer treatment, that's funded in 47 other countries -- but not here.
She asks how can it be a 'world-class' agency if a woman with advanced breast cancer has a 40 per cent higher chance of dying here because of access to drugs.
Elisa Lavelle Wijohn was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer two and a half years ago.
The best treatment for her costs 8.5-thousand-dollars a month.
She says if people who are struggling and working two jobs to get food on the table get sick -- they have no chance.
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