The Breast Cancer Advocacy Coalition says the latest women's health group to back Pharmac's decision to recommend against funding the drug Herceptin is ill-informed.
The drug-buying agency announced on Friday that it wants more information before it can recommend funding Herceptin for women with early stage breast cancer.
The Federation of Women's Health Councils supports the agency's stance, saying the drug could cause more harm than benefit.
At a remembrance ceremony in Auckland for women who have died of the illness, the coalition's spokesperson Libby Burgess said it is sad the Federation is speaking out against saving women's lives.
Women's Health Action has supported the Pharmac decision, saying the figures do not stack up for Herceptin, but this has angered the Breast Cancer Advocacy Coalition, which accused it of betrayal.
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 are holding 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 it will be 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 will also be a chance to continue lobbying to get Herceptin funded by the government so patients do not have to keep paying for it themselves.
