New Zealand’s cancer treatment landscape is facing increasing pressure, with patients experiencing delays in accessing both standard and cutting-edge therapies. While the nation boasts a high-quality healthcare system, disparities in access and growing wait times are forcing some Kiwis to seek treatment abroad, often at significant personal cost. A national program, ACT-NOW, is attempting to address inconsistencies in chemotherapy delivery, but broader systemic challenges remain.
Growing Delays and the Rise of Medical Tourism
Recent reports highlight a concerning trend: New Zealand patients are increasingly turning to overseas options for cancer treatment, particularly for specialized therapies not readily available or facing lengthy delays domestically. Stu Lye, a former police officer diagnosed with myeloma, travelled to China in to undergo CAR T-cell therapy – a genetically modified cell therapy – after exhausting treatment options in New Zealand. The cost in China, approximately $150,000, was substantially lower than the $1 million price tag for similar treatment in Australia or the United States. Lye’s case is not isolated; he reports knowing of four other New Zealand patients currently receiving CAR T-cell therapy in China, with two already achieving complete remission.
The situation extends beyond CAR T-cell therapy. Wait times for standard stem cell (bone marrow) transplants are also growing, prompting Health Minister Simeon Brown to acknowledge the issue as “deeply concerning.” Brown has pledged an additional $6 million to Health New Zealand to improve access, urging the organization to “act with urgency.” However, the underlying issues appear to be multifaceted, extending beyond funding to encompass infrastructure, specialist availability, and equitable access across the country.
ACT-NOW: Addressing Chemotherapy Inconsistencies
The Anti-Cancer Therapy – Nationally Organised Workstreams (ACT-NOW) program, a priority action under the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019-2029, aims to improve the consistency and quality of chemotherapy treatment nationwide. The program recognizes that access to chemotherapy can vary depending on a patient’s location within New Zealand. ACT-NOW seeks to rectify this by collecting treatment data from both public and private providers, analyzing it, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
A key component of ACT-NOW is the SACT Regimen Library (SRL), which facilitates comparison of chemotherapy treatments across the country. The program emphasizes the importance of evidence-based, resource-efficient care delivered consistently across all New Zealand cancer centers. Specialist working groups, comprised of doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, are central to the data collection process, ensuring that the most valuable information is gathered nationally. The goal is to build a national chemotherapy database that allows for fair comparisons between District Health Boards (DHBs) and treatment providers.
Beyond Chemotherapy: Broader Systemic Challenges
While ACT-NOW focuses specifically on chemotherapy, the broader challenges facing cancer care in New Zealand extend beyond this single treatment modality. The case of a mother whose husband was dying while awaiting treatment, as reported by The Press, underscores the devastating consequences of delays. Similarly, a man who created a PowerPoint presentation for his funeral after receiving a cancer diagnosis experienced remission following treatment, highlighting both the severity of the situation and the potential for positive outcomes with timely intervention. Another story details how a patient’s persistence in advocating for a treatment initially dismissed by some ultimately led to positive results.
These individual stories point to a systemic need for improved access to innovative therapies and a more streamlined process for evaluating and funding new treatments. The fact that patients are resorting to fundraising and self-funding treatments like daratumumab, or travelling overseas for CAR T-cell therapy, indicates significant gaps in the current system. The cost differential between treatment in New Zealand and abroad is a major driver of medical tourism, but it also raises questions about the affordability and accessibility of cutting-edge cancer care for all New Zealanders.
The Future of Cancer Care in New Zealand
The current situation demands a comprehensive and coordinated response. While the additional $6 million allocated to Health New Zealand is a step in the right direction, a more strategic and long-term approach is needed. This includes not only addressing funding shortfalls but also investing in infrastructure, expanding specialist training, and streamlining the process for evaluating and approving new therapies.
The development of a New Zealand-developed cancer treatment, as reported by Stuff, offers a glimmer of hope, but its successful implementation hinges on clear pathways for regulatory approval and commercialization. Collaboration between government, research institutions, and private sector partners like BioOra will be crucial to bringing this treatment to market. Ensuring equitable access to high-quality cancer care for all New Zealanders requires a sustained commitment to innovation, investment, and a patient-centered approach.
The target of ensuring 90 per cent of cancer patients start treatment within 31 days of deciding on a treatment plan, as outlined in recent health targets, is ambitious but achievable with focused effort. Addressing variation in access, improving data collection, and strengthening infrastructure are key to meeting this goal and improving outcomes for cancer patients across the country.
