NZ is sadly lagging behind other nations in providing the latest medical advances in immunotherapy to treat melanoma cancer patients. Whilst Australia has at least seven available that are fully funded, and the UK has even more with many ongoing clinical trials, NZ only has one (Keytruda - Pembrolizumab) which is only funded for advanced Stage 4 Melanoma - otherwise costing approximately $7000 every three weeks for treatment for those with Stage 3 or less.  As a sufferer of this awful cancer, and speaking to others with Melanoma, this is not enough to help those who do not respond to Pembrolizumab, or who cannot afford this expense.

Furthermore, another form of treatment,  known as Targeted Therapy, does not receive funding either, despite it's proven effectivenes. The following link explains the concept of Targeted Therapy:

https://cancertreatments.co.nz/skin-cancer/

By having more choices of fully funded medications, there will be less stress on our already fragile health care system, and saving our country millions of dollars every year. Please help by signing this petition and share to help publicise this major flaw in our health care system and to help everyone (not just sufferers of Melanoma) to have access to much needed immunotherapy medications.