Watch: ‘Delivering on our promise’ [Video]

Up to 26 new cancer treatments will be funded alongside 28 other medicines as part of the Government’s $604 million health budget to honour a National pre-election promise.

However, National’s commitment to fund 13 specific cancer drugs hasn’t been fully met with up to seven listed in its 2023 policy included in today’s funding package with the others replaced by “alternatives just as good or better”, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti said.

Reti, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Pharmac Minister David Seymour made the announcement today at the post-Cabinet press conference, which Reti estimated would benefit about 175,000 people in the first year.

Luxon said the quality of a person’s life was driven by the quality of their health.

“We are delivering on our promise to help Kiwis fighting cancer.

“This is a great day for many New Zealanders.”

On the Government’s communications around the cancer drugs, Luxon conceded they could have communicated better.

The cancer medicines funded would …