Herzuma Treatment For Advanced Breast Cancer w/ Adele Gautier: 14 July, 2023

Pharmac recently switched the generic breast cancer pharmaceutical Herceptin to Herzuma, which will give cost savings while at the same time saving and improving quality of life. 

Unfortunately, they are restricting usage of Herzuma to a one-time course for those suffering from advanced breast cancer, while research overseas has shown it remains effective at lengthening and treating life and quality of life beyond just a single course. 

Pharmac has opened a consultation period for those who know somebody afflicted by breast cancer to protest this limited use of Herzuma, which is more effective but also more expensive than chemotherapy at targeting certain types of breast cancer. 

Arno spoke to Adele Gautier of the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation about Herzuma to find out more about this topic.