High Court decision on Herceptin welcome - Tariana Turia

The Maori Party is very pleased that Justice Gendall has ordered Pharmac to review its decision on funding 12-month treatment of Herceptin, said co-leader Hon Tariana Turia.

“For the sake of women who want treatment with Herceptin, it is important that the decision-making process is open and consultative,” she said, “because they and their families have to live with the outcome.

“It has been hard to accept that Pharmac reviewed the same research evidence as other countries, but reached a different conclusion on treatment, because the process was not a public one.

“The high cost of advanced drug treatment places relentless pressure on drug budgets, and I’m sure everyone realises that not all needs can be met. But the High Court’s decision confirms that we have to base tough decisions on full knowledge of the alternatives. We should not be left with suspicions that budget constraints stop us even looking at all options.

“While we realise they might come to the same conclusions, we welcome Pharmac’s assurance that they have an open mind, and will not simply try to justify their earlier decision,” said Mrs Turia.