John --

Almost everyone will have someone experience cancer in their lifetime – either personally or through a friend, colleague or loved one.

Each year, around 25,000 are diagnosed with cancer and 10,000 tragically lose their lives.

Despite the hard work and dedication of New Zealand’s trusted healthcare professionals, cancer survival rates here lag behind Australia, partially due to Australia's broader funding of cancer medicines.

That is why today I have announced a National Government will pay for 13 cancer treatments which will extend survival rates, by making them available to patients in New Zealand.

National will allocate $280 million in ring-fenced funding to PHARMAC over four years to pay for these therapies.

An announcement like this transcends politics because it is simply the right thing to do.

READ MORE HERE

Best,
Christopher Luxon