The lung cancer patients at a later stage of their disease can heave a sigh of relief, as the financing of an oral cancer drug has been finalized.

As per the agreement made between Pharmac and pharmaceutical company Roche Products, funds will be applied for the availability of lung cancer drug erlotinib (tarceva), which will commence from October 1.

In New Zealand, more than 1,500 people succumb to lung cancer and it is the major cause of deaths in men and for women; it is the second chief reason of their demise.

After chemotherapy, Tarceva is another such treatment, which adds to the life of cancer sufferers and upgrades their quality of life. But, before the intake of the drug, the patients must have to be quite well.

It is a better option to get the treatment at home by orally taking the cancer drug, rather than visiting hospitals, as stated by Dr. Peter Moodie, Pharmac Medical Director.

As planned by Pharmac, the funding will make the drug available to at least 100 people in a year.

Tony Ryall, Health Minister, said, "These drugs make treatment easier on cancer patients and means more people with these cancers will be able to be treated".