Media release- Funding of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia with Ibrutinib + Venetoclax and Obinutuzumab + Venetoclax

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Advocates NZ (CLL Advocates NZ) welcomes the announcement by Pharmac that the combination therapies of Ibrutinib + Venetoclax and Obinutuzumab + Venetoclax will be funded for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) patients by haematologists as initial treatments. CLLANZ has been campaigning hard to get these treatments funded.

“We welcome the fact that these treatments are being offered as frontline therapy to patients with CLL and that patients will no longer have to have had old fashion, toxic and indeed cancer-causing chemotherapy and then relapsed before becoming eligible for more modern treatments.” said Dr Spearing, Chair of CLL Advocates NZ.

“These oral treatments will free up hospital time and allow patients to continue their normal lives while undergoing treatment. It will also extend lives in a meaningful way,”

“Having both combinations of ibrutinib and venetoclax and obinutuzumab with venetoclax funded will now enable haematologists to deliver much safer and effective CLL treatment as first-line treatment to patients at all ages, which is especially exciting.”

“Although it is great news that these drugs have at last been funded – and we appreciate the efforts of all those who have made this possible – the reality is that we are well behind other countries with a similar GDP per capita. The funding of drugs in this country still remains at the bottom of all the OECD countries despite our GDP per capita being in the middle our OECD partners. We call on this government and the subsequent governments to rectify this situation so more lifesaving drugs can be funded for CLL and other haematologic conditions.”

“CLL Advocates NZ will continue to fight for better treatments for CLL patients. CLL is one of the most common blood cancers, with an increasing incidence in the aging population.”

CLL Advocates Trustees