New Zealand’s Blood Cancer Medicine Gap

25 October 2024 -

The Cancer Control Agency has released its long-awaited report detailing the significant gap in access to blood cancer medicines in New Zealand compared to Australia. In 2023, Health Minister Shane Reti assured blood cancer patients they had not been overlooked, pledging that the findings of this report would inform efforts to bridge the trans-Tasman gap in access to cancer treatments.

• For insights on what the report means for patients, check out this NZ Herald article by Tim Edmonds, Chief Executive at LBC: The blood cancer treatment gap: Lives are at stake as we wait for government action.
• Learn more about the political promises made to blood cancer patients in this Stuff article: Cancer Control Agency recommends funding 12 blood cancer treatments.
• Blood cancer patient, Mark Dodson, appears on Three News urging the government to fund life-saving medicines: Patients urge government to fund life-saving cancer medications.
• Haematologist Rodger Tiedemann and blood cancer patient Mark Dodson speak to Breakfast regarding the report’s shortfalls and unkept promises: Watch the discussion here.
• Rami Rahal, Chief Executive of the Cancer Control Agency, spoke with RNZ about the report’s findings and implications for medicine funding: Listen to the RNZ interview.

For more updates, stay connected with Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand as we continue to advocate for improved access to blood cancer medicines.

The summary report can be accessed here – Summary Report

The full report can be accessed here – Full Report

The FAQ report can be accessed here – FAQs Report