What's happening in PHARMAC--where do all the submissions go? On the trail of gemcitabine

Abstract

The process and progress of submissions to PHARMAC for funding of new treatments is unclear. There appears to be a lack of communication or transparency regarding funding applications, decisions, or expected timelines to reach an endpoint. It is difficult to have confidence in a process that lacks such definition. A recent clinician submission for funding of an oncology treatment (gemcitabine) for bladder cancer highlights these issues.