Source: PHARMAC
Pharmac is focussed on being a more outward-focused and transparent organisation; and one of the ways we are doing that is by improving how we share information.
“We’ve received consistent feedback asking us to improve how we share information about our funding processes,” says Adrienne Martin, Director Pharmaceuticals. “We’ve taken that on board.”
The $604 million budget uplift for the 2024/25 financial year was an early opportunity to improve engagement. It was the largest funding increase in Pharmac’s history.
“It was a significant amount of funding to allocate very quickly, while keeping people informed at each stage of the process,” says Martin. “We introduced new tools which helped us do this better.,
One of these tools was a dedicated funding uplift webpage, so health professionals and the public could see all of the funding proposals and consultations underway in real time – Progress to funding cancer and other medicines(external link).
“We wanted to clearly show what was being consulted on, what feedback was considered, and what medicines had been funded.”
Pharmac is exploring how we continue using this approach following positive feedback.
Pharmac also received feedback by working closely with other organisations, such as Health New Zealand and the Cancer Control Agency.
“We received substantial feedback on funding proposals from affected people, their families, consumer advocacy groups, and health care professionals. It helped to make sure we were considering the right things and led to a number of changes to our proposals,” says Martin.
Some examples of the changes made to funded medicines included:
- We consulted on funding pembrolizumab(external link) for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. In response to feedback, we funded pembrolizumab as a second-line option as well.
- We consulted on funding cetuximab(external link) with chemotherapy for people with metastatic colorectal cancer. In response to feedback, we updated the criteria so cetuximab can be used on its own, without chemotherapy.
- We consulted on funding osimertinib(external link) for people with a type of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In response to feedback, we updated the eligibility criteria to improve access.
- We consulted on funding treatments for stage III and IV melanoma(external link). In response to feedback about the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in reducing melanoma treatments side effects, access to infliximab and tocilizumab was widened.
- We consulted on funding trastuzumab deruxecan(external link) for people who have metastatic breast cancer. In response to feedback, we changed the access criteria to allow people to change between trastuzumab deruxtecan and trastuzumab emtansine if needed.
- We consulted on funding a budesonide, glycopyrronium, and eformoterol(external link) aerosol inhaler for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In response to feedback, we negotiated an agreement to supply an inhaler that uses an alternative propellant with a significantly lower environmental impact.
- We consulted on funding palivizumab for severe illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)(external link), for infants and young children at very high risk of RSV. In response to feedback, we amended the access criteria to better capture high risk children.
“We know we’re not going to always get our proposals 100% right,” says Martin. “We’re always open to feedback. We can’t fix what we don’t know, so we’re very grateful when new information to consider is raised with us.”
Contact enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz if you have any suggestions for how we can improve the information we share about funding consultations and decisions.