Publicly funded treatments
From 1 July 2025 Pharmac has announced an amendment to the pharmaceutical schedule rules to allow access to new publicly funded cancer medicines in private hospitals and clinics.
When Pharmac funds a new cancer medicine - or widens access to existing funded cancer medicines - eligible patients will be able to receive their medicine within private hospitals or clinics for a period of up to 12 months, without having to move their care to a public hospital.
The intent of this decision is to allow continuity of care for patients, while also decreasing burden on the public health care system.
The decision only relates to drugs funded from 1 July 2025. This means breast cancer drugs recently funded: Enhertu (T-Dxd) for advanced HER2+ breast cancer, and Keytruda for advanced Triple Negative Breast Cancer must be administered in the public health system to be funded.
If you have questions about drug access, please reach out to our Breast Cancer Nurse Specialists.