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Tears and anger after select committee votes against inquiry into Pharmac - 'this is a huge opportunity lost'

Malcolm Mulholland, the husband of late-stage cancer patient Wiki Mulholland, was emotional as he addressed reporters outside Parliament today.

Campaigners calling for Pharmac's funding model to be investigated are today bitterly disappointed the Health Select Committee has voted against recommending an inquiry.

Malcolm Mulholland, husband of advanced breast cancer patient Wiki Mulholland, is calling for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to remove David Clark from being Health Minister or for Mr Clark to resign from the role, claiming he has influenced the decision made.

"The decision today clearly demonstrates political interference at the highest level into a parliamentary process that in Dr Clark's own words should act as a watchdog when it comes to his actions and those of Pharmac," he said while fighting back tears today outside Parliament.

He claims Health Select Committee chair Louisa Wall told him last year at an event at Bowen House there would be an inquiry recommendation made before Christmas last year and that the Health Select Committee supported the call.

Mr Mulholland said at an event in February this year, Ms Wall told him the call for an inquiry was being blocked by Mr Clark and at a "higher level than him."

1 NEWS is seeking comment from Ms Wall on these claims.

Mr Clark denied that he had influenced the Health Select Committee's decision.

"The Health Committee will have been aware of my views, but it makes its own decisions," he said in a statement.

"I respect the role select committees play as a watchdog on Ministers and I would never interfere with their independence."

Patients are missing out on treatments available overseas, Cancer Society says.

He maintained he doesn't believe an inquiry into Pharmac's model is needed.

"Pharmac is a world-class funding model and the reason New Zealanders pay some of the lowest prices in the world for pharmaceuticals – and that means more people can get access to the drugs they need," Mr Clark said in the statement.

Mr Mulholland said the roughly six-month campaign has been to fight for those with no voice.

Last October, Ms Mulholland arranged a march to Parliament where a petition with more than 29,000 signatures was delivered, calling for the funding of two breast cancer drugs.

She also called for Pharmac's funding system to be reviewed at the time.

“Is there a better way to do this? Is there a way that all New Zealanders can access what they need instead of just the rich or some?" she said.

National Health Select Committee member Michael Woodhouse told Mr Mulholland of today's decision, later telling media the vote was even, with National's four members supportive of the call; and three Labour members and one New Zealand First member against the recommendation.

Wiki Mulholland wants Pharmac to fund the Ibrance medicine and more research efforts into breast cancer.

"I am bitterly disappointed. I think this is a huge opportunity lost, we have heard heartbreaking stories of the impact of unfunded medicines certainly from breast cancer survivors but there are many other petitions for cystic fibrosis, SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) and a number of others coming toward us," he said.

Mr Woodhouse said he has no doubt the Government doesn't want to talk about "the failure by the Government to reinvest the $200 million in savings made by Pharmac efficiencies last year back into new medicines."

He claimed under this Government, far fewer medicines have been funded than under the previous Government.

"It’s appalling."

The National Health Select Committee member addressed media following news of the decision today.

He said Pharmac needs more funding, greater transparency and more timely decision-making.

"The result of this decision is that people with advanced cancer, including breast cancer, will die sooner than they should," Mr Mulholland said moments after learning of the decision. "Why? Because the New Zealand system of funding drugs is broken."

Mr Mulholland said the fight is not yet over for the group of late-stage breast cancer sufferers he represents.

"My final message is to Jacinda [Ardern]. You know us personally, you had my cell.

"I am more than happy to meet with you so that you understand why it is we want an inquiry into Pharmac."

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