Research supports use of herceptin 

Overseas research showing the beneficial effects of the breast cancer drug herceptin is giving New Zealand women fresh hope that Pharmac will fund the drug.

Pharmac is reviewing last year's decision not to fund herceptin but warns that does not necessarily mean it will change its mind.

Evidence published in the Lancet Medical Journal, based on a two-year trial on women taking the drug, suggests they gain significant benefits towards long-term survival.

Nursing lecturer Chris Walsh was diagnosed in the early stages of aggressive breast cancer less than a year ago.

"I had a mastectomy and after I had recovered from surgery I had chemotherapy, radiotherapy and now herceptin," says Walsh.

"It [herceptin] is another tool in the weapon against breast cancer and it's a tool that I personally can't afford to throw away."

But the government's drug buying agency is not immediately swayed by the study's findings. Medical director Peter Moodie says Pharmac is not going to make a formal decision at the moment.

"We have to take the cost into account...$25 million is a lot of money," says Moodie.

Last July the agency refused to subsidise herceptin, sparking protests outside parliament.

"It's going to cost us about $90,000 for 17 treatments...and I can tell you it's quite an experience to write those cheques out," says Walsh.

Supporters for funding herceptin say Pharmac has run out of excuses. The Breast Cancer Advocacy Coalition says it has no choice but to sit up and take note of the new evidence. Spokeswoman Libby Burgess says the information was available mid last year but Pharmac chose to ignore it until it was published.

Burgess says the rest of the world has already looked at the data and acted on it. She says New Zealand must now follow the 23 OECD countries which have chosen to fund the drug.

And she says if Pharmac decides there is not enough money in the pot then the government will have to step in.