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‘Landmark’ decision to fund life-extending treatment

‘Landmark’ decision to fund life-extending treatment from today for patients with advanced prostate cancer1,2

Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd (Janssen) today announced that their advanced metastatic prostate cancer therapy, ZYTIGA® (abiraterone acetate), is now funded for New Zealand patients.1,2

With prostate cancer one of the most common causes of death from cancer in New Zealand men,3 the availability of ZYTIGA represents an opportunity for men to live longer and maintain their quality of life.4,5,6,7

Around 600 men die of prostate cancer in New Zealand every year and survival rates for Māori are especially poor, with Māori men 37 percent more likely to die of prostate cancer once diagnosed than non-Māori men.3 Around 3,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in New Zealand every year.3

ZYTIGA is the first of a new class of oral medicines that effectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells by blocking the production of androgens (hormones) at all sources.2 The therapy, available for men whose cancer has progressed after hormone deprivation treatment or chemotherapy, may help prolong the lives of these men and maintain their quality of life. 4,5,6,7

Associate Professor Chris Atkinson, Oncologist and Medical Director of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, confirmed that New Zealand men with advanced prostate cancer that has progressed despite conventional male hormone (testosterone) suppression, have had limited treatment options available before now.

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He said many of these men experience significant side effects from their progressive cancer, reducing their quality and enjoyment of life.

“Funded access to new treatment options for this very serious stage of advanced prostate cancer will help men prolong their life while enjoying a better quality of life, maintaining dignity and meaning”, said Associate Professor Atkinson.

Chris Hourigan, Managing Director of Janssen, described the long-awaited funding approval of the treatment as a landmark decision.

“This fills a longstanding gap for New Zealand men with advanced prostate cancer - a disease that touches almost every New Zealand family in one way or another, and has profound and life-changing impacts.”

Mr Hourigan said there was deep concern among healthcare professionals around the disparities in outcomes for Māori compared with non-Māori men, and the lack of a coherent treatment approach and adequate emotional, clinical and culturally-responsive support for prostate cancer patients.

“Overall we see the decision to fund ZYTIGA as a great step forward in addressing unmet needs and optimising patient survival, but it is by no means the total or final solution. There are many new treatments on the horizon and we would like to see faster, more responsive decision-making that gives New Zealand men and their doctors more of the emerging treatment options available in other developed countries,” said Mr Hourigan.

Janssen is developing a ZYTIGA patient and carer programme to help manage the challenges of advanced prostate cancer and to support treatment adherence. ZYTIGA is taken as a tablet enabling home treatment rather than involving hospital care.

PROSTATE CANCER IN NEW ZEALAND:

• Cancer is the most common cause of death for both males and females in New Zealand, accounting for nearly a third of all deaths.3

• Overall, prostate cancer was the second most common cancer registered. 3

• In New Zealand, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the third most common cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer and bowel cancer. 3

• Approximately 2,500 (one in 13) men will develop prostate cancer before the age of 75.8

• Improvements in survival may best be achieved not only by earlier diagnosis but also by improving the management of metastatic and locally spread disease.9

ENDS

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