More transparency wanted for herceptin funding

A cancer specialist wants to see more transparency in the way the Government's drug funding agency makes decisions.

The government is bypassing Pharmac by providing a 12 month course of the breast cancer drug Herceptin directly through the Ministry of Health.

Under the Labour Government, Pharmac would only fund a nine week course claiming scientific information did not prove that a longer course was any more beneficial, but during the election, National pledged to extend funding for the drug Her-2 positive from nine weeks to 12 months.

Medical Oncologist Richard Isaacs says he met with the Health Minister in 2006 to discuss the year-long funding and it has taken this long to make what he believes is the right decision.

He says Pharmac needs to be encouraged to work together with specialist groups across the medical profession and clearly define its criteria for drug funding. He says that will ensure the right decisions are made.

source: newstalkzb