This is a particularly annoying response from a bioethics professor who clearly is not up with the play on the treatment of Pompe. It would appear in fact that he was well briefed by Pharmac. The relevant part starts at 16.50 from the start.
The Government’s refusal to explain why it has not delivered on a promise to ensure access to life-saving drugs for Kiwis suffering from rare diseases is cowardly and disrespectful Labour’s Health spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
An Invercargill equipment repairman with a rare neuromuscular disease was one of five people turned away from the Beehive yesterday, after seeking an intervention from John Key to get access to the drug Myozyme, which could halt the progression of the fatal disease.
A New Plymouth man fighting for his life headed to Wellington to appeal to John Key for help, only to be turned away by the prime minister's security guards.
Freda Evans battles every day with basic tasks like eating, breathing and walking, but is finding Pharmac the toughest opponent in her search for "a better quality of life".
It was a fun day, but with a serious aim - to raise funds for medical treatment for Masterton miniature horse breeder Allyson Lock, who suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy.
The 49-year-old New Plymouth man has a rare medical condition and without an expensive treatment – which Pharmac says will cost almost $1 million a year and may not even work – he believes he is being sentenced to an early death.
Radio New Zealand: National: Checkpoint Jun 7, 2011
People with rare, genetically inherited disorders are demanding a better deal from the drug-buying agency Pharmac.
I thought this was a very poor interview on Petra Bagust's part!
Radio New Zealand: National: NINE TO NOON ~ Allyson Jun 7, 2011
Pharmac Medical Director Dr Peter Moodie, Executive Director of NZ Organisation for Rare Disorders John Forman and Pompe Disease sufferer Allyson Lock all join the programme to discuss the funding agency's decisions and decision making processes.
Denim Day for Rare Diseases Feb 28, 2011 Masterton Medical, Medlab and The Chemists showed their support for Rare Disease Day
Allyson's story for Rare Disease Day - "Wairarapa Midweek" article Feb 22, 2011
Three patient advocacy groups have won a concession from Pharmac who will consider at their 27 September board meeting an appeal against their earlier decision to decline funding for Myozyme, a specialised enzyme replacement therapy. Myozyme treats Pompe disease, a rare Lysosomal disease that has similar symptoms to some forms of muscular dystrophy. Without treatment Pompe disease is fatal, leading over several years to increased muscle weakness and respiratory failure.