Blood Cancer Patients Urge Government to Honour Drug Funding Promise
In this RNZ Checkpoint segment, blood cancer patients, clinicians, and advocates speak out about the urgent need for the New Zealand Government to fund critical medications for blood cancers, many of which remain unfunded despite pre-election commitments.
Unfulfilled Commitment: The National Party pledged to fund cancer treatments for both solid tumours and blood cancers. While solid tumour drugs received funding after public pressure, blood cancer medications were excluded from Budget 2025.
Clinical Voices:
- Dr. Rodger Tiedemann, consultant haematologist at Auckland Hospital, describes the lack of funding as a “fundamental health policy failure.”
- He and 59 haematologists co-signed a letter urging the government to act, emphasizing that blood cancer patients rely solely on medication, unlike solid tumour patients who may benefit from surgery or radiation.
Patient Impact:
- Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), lymphoma, and other blood cancers are left waiting for access to treatments that are funded in dozens of other countries.
- Many are paying privately or going without, while Pharmac’s “options for investment” list continues to grow without action.
Advocacy in Action:
- CLL Advocates NZ and other groups are calling for transparency, urgency, and equity in cancer drug funding.
- The segment underscores the emotional and financial toll on families, and the need for government accountability.