Two new blood cancer medications could soon be available to patients as pills, with one accessible through private clinics. 

Pharmac will consider funding treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which could be available from May 1st. 

They can be taken in pill form and take away the need for chemotherapy. 

Blood Cancer NZ CEO Tim Edmonds told Ryan Bridge the medications take a targeted approach to first-line treatment, which means they’ll be able to access targeted therapy instead of chemotherapy once diagnosed. 

He says instead of visiting the hospital up to 20 times in six months, they can take an oral tablet every day from home and actually get better outcomes.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Two new blood cancer medications could soon be available to patients as pills, with one accessible through private clinics.&nbsp;
Pharmac will consider funding treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, which could be available from May 1st.&nbsp;
They can be taken in pill form and take away the need for chemotherapy.&nbsp;
Blood Cancer NZ CEO Tim Edmonds told Ryan Bridge the medications take a targeted approach to first-line treatment, which means they’ll be able to access targeted therapy instead of chemotherapy once diagnosed.&nbsp;
He says instead of visiting the hospital up to 20 times in six months, they can take an oral tablet every day from home and actually get better outcomes. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Tim Edmonds: Blood Cancer NZ CEO on Pharmac considering funding two new blood cancer treatments

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/16615864-1290-4a2e-ba7e-b3f5016e19c5/transcript