Budget 2025 leaves blood cancer patients behind

Blood cancer patients and advocates are outraged after Budget 2025 failed to allocate new funding for life-saving medicines. Despite last year’s $604M boost for Pharmac, no additional resources have been provided – leaving thousands without access to vital treatments.

Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ, the Blood Cancer Alliance, and the Cancer Society warn that the government is simply “re-celebrating” old funding while ignoring a growing backlog of unfunded medicines.

Patients like Rob Crozier, 77, CLL Advocates Trustee, continue to pay thousands for private insurance, while experts call this a “fundamental health policy failure” leading to avoidable deaths.

New Zealand ranks among the worst in the OECD for access to modern medicines. Advocacy groups demand urgent action – blood cancer patients cannot afford another year of waiting. #FundCancerMedicines #Budget2025Fail #NZHealthCrisis

Read more of the article here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/561987/budget-2025-leaves-blood-cancer-patients-behind