Health New Zealand allows a small group of cancer patients to receive free early access to the drug Keytruda later this month.
Initially, these patients, estimated to be between 20 and 30, would have had to wait until the treatment was officially funded from October 1.
Richard Sullivan, Health NZ’s chief clinical officer, said clinicians recommended managing the small group earlier.
The patients will be prepared for treatment over the next few weeks.
Health Minister Shane Reti mentioned that at least 300 patients, including the early group of 20-30, were likely to be eligible overall.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins claimed that Health NZ had staffing issues preventing them from offering the drug early.
Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall criticized the decision not to make Keytruda available, stating that when a pharmaceutical company offers free medicine, it should make it easier for people to receive treatment in the health system.
The coalition government has set a faster cancer treatment target of 90% of patients receiving treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat.
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