Brain Tumour Support NZ Joins the Forbidden Pharmacy Campaign
Attend the event on Saturday 25th July 2026 10am to 5pm to show your support
Brain Tumour Support NZ is proud to stand alongside 17 other patient organisations in support of The Forbidden Pharmacy – a powerful public awareness campaign highlighting the reality faced by thousands of New Zealanders who cannot access life-changing medicines that are already available in many other countries.
For many people living with a brain tumour, timely access to effective treatment can mean more time with loved ones, a better quality of life, and the opportunity to delay more intensive treatments. Unfortunately, many medicines that have transformed care overseas remain out of reach for New Zealand patients.
Vorasidenib (Voranigo), the first medicine ever approved specifically for people with IDH-mutant grade 2 gliomas
At the centre of the campaign is Vorasidenib (Voranigo), the first medicine ever approved specifically for people with IDH-mutant grade 2 gliomas. It is also the first major treatment breakthrough for this type of brain tumour in more than 20 years. The medicine is designed to slow tumour growth after surgery, delaying the need for radiation and chemotherapy and helping people remain well for longer. Around 250 New Zealanders could benefit immediately, with another 15–25 people diagnosed each year. While the medicine is publicly funded in the United Kingdom and expected to be funded in Australia, New Zealand patients currently have no funded access.
The Forbidden Pharmacy brings this issue to life by displaying medicines that exist, are changing lives overseas, but remain inaccessible to many New Zealanders. The installation aims to spark conversation about medicines access and encourage public support for better investment in life-changing treatments. The campaign is not about influencing decisions on individual medicines, but about highlighting the need for New Zealanders to have timely access to modern medicines through adequate investment.
We encourage anyone interested in learning more to visit the public open day, hear from patient organisations and see firsthand the medicines that remain "locked away" from New Zealanders.
Attend the event on Saturday 25th July 10am to 5pm 2026 to show your support
The Forbidden Pharmacy
Saturday 25 July 2026
10.00am – 5.00pm
Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland
Together, we can help raise awareness of the importance of timely access to modern medicines. Every medicine on the shelf represents real people, real families and the hope of better outcomes for New Zealanders facing serious illness.
