"I’m delighted to lead PHARMAC as it continues its work for New Zealand. Our broader funding work continues with work in community medicines, vaccines, hospital medicines, and medical devices used in DHB hospitals. In line with our strategic goals, we have a strong interest in activities to eliminate inequities in access to medicines.
We are currently considering a funding application from CFNZ for the TOBI Podhaler and this will be given full consideration by our clinical experts and economic advisers. We will first be seeking advice from our expert Respiratory Subcommittee, who will in turn provide their advice to our main clinical committee, PTAC. Should the recommendation be positive, PHARMAC would rank the funding proposal alongside other medicines seeking funding. We always have more options to fund than we can afford, so careful choices need to be made.
Some recent funding changes include the shingles vaccine being funded from 1 April, for people aged 65, with a catch-up programme for people up to 80. We’re also funding an influenza vaccine this year that, for the first time, offers protection against four strains of influenza. People with CF are eligible for a funded vaccine, and we encourage people to use the opportunity to prevent influenza infection.
I know there is some interest in our rare disorders work from people with CF and their families, as there are some sub-types of CF that could be considered rare.
At the end of 2017 we announced the formalisation of a process for considering medicines for rare disorders, which includes establishing a new clinical advisory subcommittee, to specifically consider funding of medicines for rare disorders. This work will begin in May, and we hope the committee will be able to have its first meeting before the end of the year.
Later in 2018, we will call for funding applications from suppliers of medicines for rare disorders. This process could lead to even better access to medicines for people with rare disorders.
Our earlier contestable funding process led to decisions to list 10 medicines for rare disorders on the Schedule."
Pharmac Chief Executive, Sarah Fitt
