Today we are releasing our analysis of cancer medicine availability in New Zealand Aotearoa, Understanding the Gap: an analysis of the availability of cancer medicines in Aotearoa. This report analyses what cancer medicines are publicly funded in Australia compared to Aotearoa.
Cancer medicines – whether curative or life prolonging – are a critical part of cancer care. Better cancer outcomes are more likely to be achieved when there is equitable access to effective medicines.
Increasingly, concerns have been raised about the availability of certain cancer medicines in Aotearoa compared with their availability in similar countries. It is these concerns that have motivated us to publish this report. We wanted to understand more about the gaps in cancer medicines, to inform our work and the advice we give to Government.
Along with informing cancer policy decisions – most importantly – we want this analysis to benefit those living with cancer and their whānau.
We take seriously our responsibility at Te Aho o Te Kahu to serve the people of Aotearoa to ensure there are fewer cancers, better survival and equity for all. We hope this report will help to inform cancer policy decisions for Aotearoa going forward – and most importantly – benefit those living with cancer.
I would like to acknowledge the Te Aho o Te Kahu team, led by Dr Nisha Nair, who worked so hard on this analysis and the many members of our advisory groups who, along with local and international experts, have generously provided their knowledge and insights. This valuable piece of work could not have been completed to such a high standard without you.
If you have any queries or comments in relation to the report please contact [email protected].
