- Hon David Seymour
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac's decision to widen access to type 2 diabetes medicines based on clinical need.
"Improving access to medicines in New Zealand is important to patients and their families. That's why it has been a focus for this Government," Mr Seymour says.
From 1 September, Pharmac will widen access to empagliflozin, empagliflozin with metformin, liraglutide and dulaglutide for people with type 2 diabetes.
"Pharmac has made the decision to fund these medicines for everybody who needs them, no matter their ethnicity. The decision is expected to benefit more than 30,000 patients over the next five years," Mr Seymour says.
"These medicines help lower blood sugar and reduce the likelihood of heart and kidney complications. Now more people with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of heart or kidney complications can receive these medicines earlier.
"Pharmac received significant feedback on its proposal from people living with type 2 diabetes, their families, health professionals, community organisations and advocacy groups. Pharmac heard that people supported widening access to these medicines, but wanted people who were eligible under the old criteria, but not currently using the medicines to remain eligible.
"Access will no longer depend on whether someone has cardiovascular or renal disease, is likely to have a cardiovascular event, or meets ethnicity criteria. Instead, these medicines will be funded for anyone with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels remain high despite treatment with other funded medicines.
"Pharmac has a strong track record of getting value for money out of the health budget. This another example of that. Because Pharmac decided to make these medicines available to more people than originally proposed, and would be buying a larger volume, it negotiated a new agreement with suppliers. This agreement supports wider access while minimising the impact on Pharmac's budget.
"We're making the system work better for the people it serves. When people can access their medicines easily, they stay healthier for longer. It also reduces pressure on other parts of the health system."
