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The withdrawal of a key anti-cancer drug from the New Zealand market has prompted investigations into whether it can be obtained overseas.
Astra Zeneca says it is no longer financially viable to supply Zoladex, which is used in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer.
The company says it has withdrawn the drug because government drug funding agency Pharmac is cutting funding for it by 20%.
The Nelson Prostate Cancer Support Group's Ian Chapman says he uses Lucrin, the drug Pharmac will use to replace Zoladex, and has had no problems with it.
However, Chapman says he knows of a patient who has had bad side effects from the replacement drug and is considering getting Zoladex from the United States.
Chapman says cancer patients face reduced treatment choices.
Breast Cancer Advocacy Coalition chairperson Libby Burgess says patients should not have to suffer for cost savings.
She says Pharmac should go to the government for more money, rather than doing deals with drug companies to save money.
