Posted by Michael Wonder on 04 May 2020
Without Keytruda, 30 deaths a week in New Zealand from cancer - Lung Foundation
4 May 2020 - PHARMAC's decision to backtrack on funding Keytruda is a major blow for equality in New Zealand's health system, a leading oncologist says.
Lung cancer is the most fatal cancer in New Zealand, taking about 1,800 lives a year, but immunotherapy drugs like Keytruda have been proving effective.
Medical oncologist Laird Cameron said while they were not miracle cures and did not work for everyone, immunotherapy drugs could double survival rates for patients with advanced lung cancer.
