Posted by Michael Wonder on 30 Mar 2020
PHARMAC eases restrictions on cancer drugs during COVID-19 pandemic
31 March 2020 - PHARMAC will ease restrictions on at least nine cancer drugs, including Keytruda, for the treatment of advanced melanoma, to reduce hospital visits and cut the risk of highly vulnerable patients catching COVID-19.
One senior oncologist has praised the drug buying agency's swift response, although patient advocates say cancer sufferers will need much more help during the pandemic.
Groups representing cancer patients are worried that the Givealittle pages many rely on to pay for medicines not funded by PHARMAC won't be supported in an economic downturn.
