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People with some types of thyroid and liver cancer are getting free access to a targeted treatment for the first time, with Pharmac's decision to fund the drug Lenvatinib from next month.
The agency's chief medical officer, Dr David Hughes, said the medicine - branded Lenvima - stopped cancer cells from multiplying, slowing the disease's progression.
Previously patients with specific types and stages of thyroid and liver cancer had only received "supportive care that provides comfort and relief from their symptoms", he said.
"Funding Lenvatinib will give some people with thyroid and liver cancer a treatment option they haven't had before. It will give them the chance to have a better quality of life and live longer."
People with kidney cancer that has spread would also be eligible to receive Lenvima, as a second treatment option.
Alternatively, they can use Nivolumab which was funded from 1 November 2024.
Hughes said public feedback helped Pharmac make small changes to the final eligibility criteria for kidney and thyroid cancer to ensure "the right people" could access treatment.
"People with kidney cancer experiencing severe side effects with Nivolumab will be able to move to Lenvatinib with everolimus so they can continue to receive treatment.
"We've also updated how we describe the eligibility criteria for thyroid cancer so it's easier for clinicians to understand who the treatment is funded for."
The funding comes from Pharmac's funding boost in June, that has so far allowed it to pay for 26 new drugs for cancer and other health conditions.
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