Posted by Michael Wonder on 08 Jan 2018
Significant step forward for treating people with head and neck cancer
21 December 2018 - Funding cetuximab for patients with head and neck cancer will be a significant advance for treating this type of cancer in New Zealand, says PHARMAC Director of Operations Sarah Fitt.
Cetuximab (Erbitux) will be available from 1 February 2018 as an additional treatment option for people with locally advanced, non-metastatic head and neck cancer who are unable to use the current standard chemotherapy treatment, cisplatin.
Cetuximab is an infusion given in tandem with radiation therapy. PHARMAC expects that 40-50 people will be eligible for treatment every year.
