Articles tagged with Immunotherapy
Pharmac Proposes Widened Access to Immunotherapy for Advanced Melanoma Patients
2 hours ago | 32 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to expand access to immunotherapy medicines nivolumab and ipilimumab for people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma starting May 2026, aiming to improve treatment outcomes and reduce cancer recurrence. These medicines, used together before surgery, can enhance immune response, potentially reduce the need for further treatment, and save health resources by decreasing infusion hours and hospital visits. The government emphasizes faster access to effective cancer care, backed by significant investment in new medicines, while Pharmac seeks public and clinical feedback on the proposal before finalizing the decision.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac nivolumab ipilimumab melanoma New Zealand cancer treatment immunotherapy Melanoma New ZealandExpanded Cancer Treatment Services at Taupō Hospital Bring Care Closer to Home
6 months ago | 942 viewsChemotherapy services at Taupō Hospital have expanded to two days a week, doubling operating days for the first time in over 20 years, in response to increased demand driven by government investment in cancer medicines. The investment has enabled broader access to advanced treatments like Keytruda, benefiting patients in Taupō and surrounding areas. Specialist nurses from Rotorua travel to Taupō to administer treatments, reducing travel time and easing the burden on patients and their families, with plans to further expand services to meet growing demand and improve access to cancer care in the region.
Tags: Taupō region chemotherapy services Taupō Hospital Health Minister Simeon Brown cancer patients Pharmac Keytruda immunotherapy drug specialist nurses Rotorua.