Short course best option for Herceptin

Media release
3 May 2007

Short course best option for Herceptin

Women’s Health Action Trust welcomes the funding of the nine week course of Herceptin for women with early stage breast cancer.

‘The nine week course offers the best balance between potential benefits and harms for Herceptin. In choosing the nine week course of Herceptin treatment, PHARMAC has made a considered and careful decision.’ said Jo Fitzpatrick, Director of Women’s Health Action Trust.

All Herceptin regimes are experimental and studies show that Herceptin benefits some women with early breast cancer, but it is a new treatment and there are still many questions around it.

The shorter nine week course of treatment has similar benefits to longer treatments with less likelihood of heart problems developing. It is a more convenient option for women who will complete their treatment course in around 18 weeks, and require fewer visits to hospital for drug administration and heart checks. Choosing the nine week course also makes the drug available to more women as the shorter course means DHBs will be able to afford to offer Herceptin to more of their patients. All eligible women will receive Herceptin. Some of the longer regimes are not recommended for women who have experienced heart problems with chemotherapy.

We know more about the one year treatment regime because the drug company prefers it. The one year course is usually the only treatment course the companies apply to government’s for Herceptin treatment and funding. They recommend it and fund the studies to support these applications.

‘This helps to create a culture where 52 weeks is seen as the ‘norm’ and ‘best practice’ when in fact we just don’t know.’ said Jo Fitzpatrick. In New Zealand, the difference per person treated is $70,000 for the one year treatment versus $15,000 for nine weeks.

‘The Herceptin debate has been intense and clouded by people advocating for one treatment course over others. This is a considered decision, based on available evidence, which is good for New Zealand women.’ said Jo Fitzpatrick.

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