5 December 2016 - The Breast Cancer Foundation is demanding approval granted for a new drug be extended to those already receiving treatment.

Funding for the drug, known as Perjeta, was part of a deal "worth tens of millions of dollars" announced today by drug-buyer PHARMAC.

It includes funding for three new medicines to be available from January, including Herceptin, chemotherapy for those newly diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, and Perjeta which battles breast cancer which has spread.

Current Medsafe registration, however, meant the drug - also known as pertuzumab - could only be given to those who had received no other treatment.

Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive Evangelia Henderson said that meant 160 women already on Herceptin would be excluded.

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