Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac has initiated consultation
today to fund ustekinumab (branded as Stelara) for people
with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to widen access to
infliximab (branded as Remicade) for IBD-associated
arthritis.
“Following the
budget increase, we are working our way through our
options for investment list,” says Pharmac’s chief
executive Sarah Fitt. “Since 1 July 2022, we’ve funded 3
new treatments, widened access to 14 and are currently
considering consultation feedback on 11 proposals. We are
pleased to be using this opportunity to progress the funding
of many more treatments.”
The consultation today is
based on a bundle deal with pharmaceutical supplier Janssen.
If approved by Pharmac, ustekinumab would be funded from 1
February 2023 for eligible people with ulcerative colitis or
Crohn’s disease, forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
who have not responded to prior biologic treatments, or
where the treatment was not tolerated.
“We know that
IBD has a significant and ongoing impact on people who have
it and their whānau,” says Ms Fitt. “In September we
consulted on vedolizumab, another medicine to treat IBD. Our
expert clinical advisors told us that funding both medicines
would make a significant difference to the health need of
people affected so we are pleased to be looking at funding
this additional option. If ustekinumab is approved for
funding, an estimated 500 people with IBD would benefit in
the first year, increasing to up to 1500 people after a few
years.
“As this provisional agreement has been
reached with the supplier Janssen, the price of another
medicine infliximab (branded as Remicade) has been reduced.
We are also consulting on the widening of access to
infliximab, another treatment for the IBD community, to
treat inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthritis and
would also be available from 1 February 2023.”
“We
understand that New Zealanders have high expectations on
having timely access to medicines, so we are pleased to
progress these consultations. It’s important we listen to
those who are affected by our decisions and that we are open
about the treatments we are considering.” says Ms
Fitt.
The consultation has been sent to health
professionals, patient groups and others who Pharmac thinks
would be interested. It is available on the Pharmac website
for anyone wanting to have their
say.
© Scoop Media
Discussion about this post