National plans to fund cancer drugs by scrapping pharmacy subsidy

National leader Christopher Luxon. (Image: Getty)

Mon, 21 Aug 2023

The National party is pledging to fund 13 new cancer treatments through drug-buying agency Pharmac, ring-fencing $280 million over four years by scrapping the relatively new $5 pharmacy prescription subsidy. Leader Christopher Luxon said lifting New Zealand’s game on cancer will be a priority for a government he leads, with more than 10,000 dying each from the disease every year. Treatments will be available to all patients with clinical need, as assessed by their doctors.“Despite the hard work and dedication of New Zealand&rsq...

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