Latest from Pharmac

Parties seek big boost in health funding

Opposition parties reveal what they want to see in the health budget on Thursday.

Adult ADHD medication use up 50 per cent

"Psychiatrists are far more accepting... that ADHD can exist in adulthood."

Funding for insomnia drug praised by parents

Pharmac could soon fund new treatments for insomnia, HIV, Hep C and others.

Pharmac won't fund women's hygiene items

Government's drug-buying agency rejects request to fund women's hygiene products.

Cancer drug shrinks brain tumour

Pamela Jones is looking forward to growing old with her husband thanks to new cancer drugs

Cancer drugs offer hope to many

Pharmac has funded two new drugs targeting advanced melanoma.

Sanitary product scheme for schools

For every sanitary product bought by a company, another will be given to a high school for free.

Locals support funding for sanitary products

Some Rotorua women and medical experts say a suggestion to have sanitary products funded by the Government is a great idea because

Pharmac considers funding women's hygiene products

Pharmac is considering funding women's hygiene products as the cost leaves some resorting to rags and old clothing as an alternative. The

Woman in limbo over cancer treatment

For Olivia Fryer, three weeks could be everything but that's how long she's been waiting to find out whether a drug she needs to fight cancer will be funded by Pharmac.

Parliament urged to legalise medicinal cannabis

The mother of the first person to get approval to use medicinal cannabis in New Zealand has made an emotional plea to Parliament to make it easier for others to get access to the drug legally.

First step to new cervical cancer drug

Otago University scientists have taken a first step towards what could eventually be a Keytruda-type drug to fight cervical cancer. They

Prostate group calls for erection funding

Pharmac happy to consider application to fund erection drugs for prostate cancer patients.

Is NZ cancer drug funding lagging?

NZ Cancer Society medical director Dr Christopher Jackson discusses urgent worries around New Zealand's systems for reviewing and funding ground-breaking new cancer drugs.

Change Pharmac or people will die - MPs told

Leisa Renwick has told a Parliamentary committee that her fight to get Keytruda funded shows the need for Pharmac to be reformed so desperate patients can access new drugs faster.

Every step 'a small victory'

After spending $100,000 on drug Keytruda, Deanna Trevarthen's tumours are shrinking and she is preparing for her next fight - to change ACC legislation.

Pharmac to pay for cancer drug Keytruda

Melanoma patients are likely to get a second drug treatment option under a new proposal to provide state funding of Keytruda.

Joshua Freeman and George Laking: Threat to medicine pipeline in TPP

COMMENT: The cost and availability of expensive new medicines like Keytruda are still at risk from the TPP despite government assurances.