-
Related
A second women's health group is backing a decision by drug buying agency Pharmac to recommend against funding the drug Herceptin for women with early stage breast cancer.
Women's Health Action has supported the Pharmac decision, saying the figures do not stack up for Herceptin, which has angered the Breast Cancer Advocacy Coalition who accused it of betrayal.
Now the Federation of Women's Health Councils says Herceptin could cause more harm than benefit.
Co-convenor Barbara Beckford says there is a high risk of cardiac complications, meaning many women would be unnecessarily exposed to an extra risk to prevent the return of breast cancer in very few women.
A Pharmac committee will review more information on Herceptin in two weeks.
Remembrance ceremony
Breast cancer patients and their supporters held a remembrance ceremony in Auckland on Monday for women who have died of the illness.
The event was organised by the Breast Cancer Advocacy Coalition and Herceptin Heroes and held in Aotea Square.
The coalition's spokesperson, Libby Burgess, says itwas an opportunity to remember the New Zealand women who have died and those that will in future because of Pharmac's decision.
She says the event was also a chance to continue lobbying to get Herceptin funded by the government so patients do not have to keep paying for it themselves.
