Cancer drugs promise: Mixed reaction to news from patients [Video]

By RNZ

Some cancer patients say the Government’s treatment pledge comes too late – while others are still in the dark about whether game-changing drugs will be funded for them.

The Government announced a $604 million funding boost for Pharmac on Monday – delivered over four years – which it said will allow the drug-buying agency to fund 26 cancer treatments and 28 other medicines.

Auckland resident Mandy Grantley has stage four bowel cancer. The 57-year-old has paid $100,000, funded by a Givealittle page, for two rounds of cetuximab.

The drug will now be funded, but she fears it may be too late.

“It’s great news, as long as you don’t die between now and October when they start rolling them out,” Grantley said.

“Why wait until October? Do it now. We’ve been waiting over 20 years for a new bowel drug to be funded – 20 years, now we have …