Pharmac is proposing funding two new leukaemia medications in pill form from May.

It could relieve pressure for hospitals.

It could also apply to people currently paying for it, who'd receive funding for the treatment in a private hospital - subject to meeting criteria.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour says Pharmac will sign off on this - and it's likely this will move forward.

"There'll be two new blood cancer medicines and they'll help an estimated 80-90 people every five years, with what is quite a rare, but brutal disorder." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Pharmac is proposing funding two new leukaemia medications in pill form from May.
It could relieve pressure for hospitals.
It could also apply to people currently paying for it, who'd receive funding for the treatment in a private hospital - subject to meeting criteria.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says Pharmac will sign off on this - and it's likely this will move forward.
"There'll be two new blood cancer medicines and they'll help an estimated 80-90 people every five years, with what is quite a rare, but brutal disorder."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

David Seymour: Associate Health Minister on Pharmac looking into funding new leukaemia medications

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1caa528b-558b-41e8-842f-b3f50062e284/transcript