Investing Earlier in Blood Cancer Medicines: The Case for Better Outcomes

The report focuses on Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive and often fatal blood cancer affecting up to 500 New Zealanders each year. It highlights how a broader, system-wide approach to assessing value can improve outcomes for patients while supporting a more sustainable health system.

Over a 20-year period, the report estimates more than $265 million in total societal benefits, including hospital savings, productivity gains, and improved survival outcomes.

Significant benefits for patients and the health system

The NZIER analysis demonstrates that funding innovative blood cancer treatments would deliver significant benefits across the healthcare ecosystem:

• Nearly 800 patients would avoid relapse: Improved first-line treatment outcomes would help almost 800 New Zealanders avoid relapse and the need for intensive follow-up treatment.

• Almost 1,000 intensive follow-up treatments avoided: Funding just two lymphoma medicines would prevent nearly 1,000 rounds of intensive follow-up treatment, including almost 400 stem cell transplants.

• More than $265 million in societal benefits: The report estimates substantial long-term value through reduced health system utilisation, productivity gains, and improved survival.

• Reduced pressure on hospitals and specialist services: Fewer relapses mean fewer hospital visits, fewer treatment cycles, and less demand on blood cancer services.

• Supporting more equitable outcomes: Earlier access to effective treatments is one of the most direct ways to improve equity in cancer outcomes.

Perspectives from the ecosystem

"A broader, system-wide approach recognises the full value of effective treatment - reducing pressure on hospitals, improving equity and delivering better results for patients and their families.”"

— Matthew Needham, Roche’s Director of Healthcare Ecosystem Partnering

"Because blood cancers can't be prevented or screened for, survival depends entirely on access to modern treatments. Funding these therapies isn't just a cost—it is an investment."

— Dr Samar Issa, Consultant Haematologist (Auckland)

Building a more sustainable health system

The findings complement Blood Cancer New Zealand's State of Blood Cancer in New Zealand report, which highlights patient experience and system gaps across blood cancer care.

Together, the reports show both the human and system case for change. The NZIER report quantifies the benefits of addressing those gaps and demonstrates how earlier access to effective treatments can improve outcomes for patients while reducing long-term pressure on the health system.

The report reinforces the need to move from short-term thinking to long-term, system-wide decision making. By taking a broader view of value, New Zealand can support better outcomes for patients, more efficient use of healthcare resources, and a stronger health system for the future.

The evidence is clear: earlier access to effective treatments delivers better outcomes for patients and a stronger health system.

References:

• NZIER. May 2026. Investing in outcomes: A societal and economic case for modernising blood cancer care in New Zealand. NZIER report to Roche NZ. Available here.

• Blood Cancer New Zealand. State of Blood Cancer in New Zealand. April 2026. 

https://www.bloodcancer.org.nz/assets-prod/downloads/Advocacy/State-of-Blood-Cancer-in-New-Zealand.pdf

• Polivy® (polatuzumab vedotin) Consumer Medicine Information available at medsafe.govt.nz

• Columvi® (glofitamab) Consumer Medicine Information available at  medsafe.govt.nz
  
  

Polivy Consumer Panel  

Polivy® (polatuzumab vedotin), 140mg and 30mg vials, is a Prescription Medicine used to treat a type of cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).  It is used when the cancer has never been treated before; when the cancer has come back or has never responded to one or more previous treatments for this type of cancer; and when you cannot receive a stem cell transplant

Ask your doctor if Polivy is right for you.

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Polivy:

●       talk to your health professional; or

●       visit medsafe.govt.nz for Polivy Consumer Medicine Information; or

●       visit roche.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243

Polivy has risks and benefits.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms:

During an infusion: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing; swelling of other parts of your body such as your hands or feet; shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing; abnormal or irregular heartbeat; rash, itching or hives on the skin; flushing (warm, red) skin; pain or swelling at site of injection; burning or tingling sensation, tenderness and redness at site of injection; blistering or ulceration at site of injection; feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting, diarrhoea; pain or discomfort (including stomach pain, back pain, chest or neck pain); fever or chills. After an infusion: flu and/or cold-like symptoms, chest pain, coughing, sweating; fever, sore throat, tiredness, sores in the mouth or gums; bruising, bleeding gums or nose, rash on legs with red dots, blood in urine or stools; numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, sharp or jabbing pain, burning or freezing sensation, pins and needles; weakness, lack of energy, feeling unsteady; difficulty walking; muscle cramps or spasms, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, mood changes; swelling of the hands or feet, yellow skin or eyes, rapid heartbeat, appetite changes; confusion or memory loss, muscle spasms and cramps, facial twitching, numbness; nose bleeds, feeling dizzy, tired, looking pale; nausea or vomiting; constipation or abdominal pain; diarrhoea; rash, itching or hives on the skin; decreased appetite, weight decrease; changes in blood tests; dry skin, skin infection; urinary tract infection; upper respiratory tract infection; breathlessness and difficulty in breathing.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

Do not use Polivy if: you have an allergic reaction to polatuzumab vedotin or any of the ingredients in Polivy.

Tell your doctor if: you have ever had nerve problems such as numbness, tingling in the hands or feet or eyesight problems; you have ever had liver problems such as hepatitis; you think you may have an infection. Pregnancy/Lactation; you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant whilst taking Polivy.

Panel dated 06 Jan 2026. 

Columvi Consumer Panel 

Columvi® (glofitamab), 2.5 mg/2.5 mL and 10 mg/10 mL vial, is a Prescription Medicine used for the treatment of adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is used when the cancer has come back (relapsed) or the cancer did not respond to previous treatments. 

Ask your doctor if Columvi is right for you. 

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Columvi:

●       talk to your health professional; or

●       visit medsafe.govt.nz for Columvi Consumer Medicine Information; or

●       visit roche.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

Columvi has risks and benefits. 

Possible common side effects include: Reduced levels in blood tests of: neutrophils or lymphocytes  (types of white blood cell), which may cause fever or symptoms of an infection; red blood cells (anaemia), which may cause tiredness, feeling unwell and pale skin; platelets (a type of blood cell), which may cause unusual bruising or bleeding;  low levels in blood tests, phosphate, magnesium, calcium or potassium; low sodium levels in blood tests, which may cause tiredness, muscle twitching or cramps; increased levels in blood tests of liver enzymes and bilirubin (yellow substance in blood), which may cause yellowing of skin or eyes, and dark urine; fever; rash; headache; new or recurring viral infections, such as lung infection, shingles or cytomegalovirus; bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infection; infection in or around the stomach; respiratory tract infections, such as runny nose, sore throat, sinus infections, and chest colds; lung infection (pneumonia), which may cause fever, cough, and difficulty breathing; infection in blood (sepsis), which may cause fever, chills and confusion; fungal infection; COVID-19 infection caused by a virus called coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2); fever with low levels of neutrophils; constipation; diarrhoea; feeling sick (nausea); vomiting; bleeding in the stomach or gut (gastrointestinal haemorrhage), which may cause black stools or blood in vomit; abdominal (belly) pain; inflammation of the large bowel, which may cause abdominal pain, bloody stools and the urge to have a bowel movement; confusion; trembling; sleepiness; pain in muscles or bones; numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, pain, discomfort or weakness and /or difficulty walking (peripheral neuropathy); inflammation of the pancreas.

Do not use Columvi if: you are allergic to glofitamab or any of the ingredients in Columvi.

Tell your doctor if: you have any other medical conditions or take any other medicines. Pregnancy/lactation: tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: Cytokine release syndrome: symptoms include fever, fast heartbeat, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, chills, shortness of breath, fever with low levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). Neurologic toxicity including ICANS: symptoms include confusion, disorientation, sleepiness, or change in consciousness level. Infections: symptoms include fever, chills, difficulty breathing, burning pain when passing urine. Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: symptoms include fever, enlarged liver and/or spleen, lymph node enlargement, easy bruising, kidney abnormalities, and breathing problems. Tumour flare: symptoms include your cancer appearing to become worse, developing tender swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, cough, inability to breathe easily, or pain at the site of the tumour. Tumour lysis syndrome: symptoms include weakness, shortness of breath, feeling confused, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps. Gastrointestinal/digestive system: symptoms include inflammation of the large bowel, which may cause abdominal pain, bloody stools and the urge to have a bowel movement.

Panel dated 18 March 2026 

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