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Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac is consulting on a proposal to fund more medicines for melanoma, a type of skin cancer, from 1 June 2025. The medicines are:

• pembrolizumab (branded as Keytruda) for stage 3B or more advanced melanoma that can be removed by surgery
• dabrafenib (branded as Tafinlar) and trametinib (branded as Mekinist) for melanoma with a BRAF mutation that:
  • is stage 3B or more advanced and can be removed by surgery
  • has spread around the body or can’t be removed by surgery

Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals, Geraldine MacGibbon, says funding these medicines would provide more treatment options to use around the time of surgery, or if people’s cancer is at a later stage and they can’t have surgery.

“These medicines would help prevent people’s cancer from spreading or coming back, which may help people live longer.”

Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy, a targeted cancer treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer cells. The medicines dabrafenib with trametinib are used together to create a stronger response to the cancer. They are taken orally which means people will be able to take them at home rather than travelling to a health clinic or hospital for treatment.

Pharmac estimates that about 260 people with melanoma would access these medicines in the first year of funding.

“We think these medicines will make a real difference for people, and we’re keen to hear what people think of our proposal before we make a decision,” says MacGibbon.

Consultation on Pharmac’s funding proposal for these medicines is now open and will close on Friday 4 April.

The Government provided additional funding to Pharmac in June 2024 to fund new medicines and widen access to medicines that are already funded. Since receiving the additional funding, Pharmac has funded 50 medicines for different health conditions (including the medicines in this announcement) and is currently considering 11 more.

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac’s Board has begun the search for a new Chief Executive, advertising in New Zealand and overseas.

Board Chair Paula Bennett says the Board is looking for a mix of strategic and operational leadership to help Pharmac become a more outward-focused, empathetic organisation.

While recruitment is underway, Bennett says the Board has appointed experienced public sector leader Brendan Boyle as Pharmac’s Acting Chief Executive. He will start at Pharmac on Monday 31 March, for a period of up to six months. He takes over from Sarah Fitt, whose last day in the Pharmac office is 28 March.

Brendan Boyle has previously been the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development, Department of Internal Affairs, and Land Information New Zealand. He has also held roles within the health sector, including as a Board member of the Capital & Coast District Health Board.

“Pharmac has a big work programme ahead and Brendan’s wealth of experience delivering what New Zealanders need will lay the foundations of the reset for when the permanent Chief Executive is appointed,” says Bennett.

Source: PHARMAC

Funding nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab for eligible people with kidney cancer

We expect about 110 people with metastatic kidney cancer will benefit in the first year of funding.

Both nivolumab and ipilimumab are immune checkpoint inhibitors. They work by helping the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. The medicines are given to people in hospital. People would start on both medicines, then after a few cycles with ipilimumab, would continue on nivolumab only until the cancer gets worse or the treatment cannot be continued for other clinical reasons, like toxicity or disease progression.

From 1 November, we funded nivolumab for kidney cancer as a second treatment, however now it will be available as a first treatment option. People would be able to access other medicines like lenvatinib with everolimus, or axitinib or sunitinib at other points in their treatment.

Widening access to sunitinib for eligible people with kidney cancer that has spread

Sunitinib is currently funded for people with kidney cancer who have an intermediate or poor prognosis. After its inclusion in the 2023/24 Annual Tender, in July 2024 we consulted on widening access for people with kidney cancer who have a good prognosis, and now we are considering widening access further so it can be used at any point of treatment for more people. We are proposing this because of the changes made and proposed for the treatment options for kidney cancer.

Sunitinib is a type of medicine called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors impact the metabolic processes involved with the development of cancer. They slow down the progression of some cancers and may help people live longer.

Funding axitinib for eligible people with kidney cancer

We expect about 35 people with metastatic kidney cancer will benefit in the first year of funding. It would be funded when their condition has gotten worse after using a different treatment (second line).

When we consulted on funding axitinib we expected 10 people to benefit in the first year of funding. This has changed because we are moving the funding of nivolumab from second line to first line (with ipilimumab).

Axitinib is an oral tablet taken daily to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Funding inotuzumab ozogamicin for eligible people with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

We expect about 15 people will benefit in the first year of funding. 

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia / lymphoma (ALL) is an aggressive form of ALL where there are too many white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood, which build up and prevent the growth of normal blood cells. 

Inotuzumab ozogamicin will be funded for people with B-cell ALL that has come back after, or has not responded to, initial treatment. This includes people with only a small amount of cancer left after initial treatment. Inotuzumab ozogamicin would be funded for all eligible people regardless of their transplant status. 

Inotuzumab ozogamicin is a targeted cancer medicine given in hospital. It is a combination medicine made up of inotuzumab, which identifies which cells to destroy, and ozogamicin, which then destroys the cancer cells to prevent the cancer developing further. The medicine improves the chance of having a curative stem cell transplant. 

Current access to blinatumomab through our Exceptional Circumstances framework for the small group of people with B-cell ALL and measurable residual disease seeking treatment as a bridge to transplant will remain unchanged as a result of this decision. 

Funding crizotinib for eligible people with non-small cell lung cancer 

We expect about 20 people will benefit in the first year of funding.

Crizotinib will be funded for people with the most common type of lung cancer, called non-small cell lung cancer, who have a mutation in their ROS-1 gene. It would provide substantial benefit for this group of people compared to currently available treatment options.

It is an oral capsule that is taken daily to stop the growth of cancer cells. It will provide a targeted treatment option for people to take at home, compared to current treatment with chemotherapy in hospital.

We fund immune checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab and atezolizumab) for this group of people but have received advice these medicines have limited effectiveness for people with this mutation. 

Funding ceftazidime with avibactam for eligible people with antibiotic resistant infections

We expect about 30 people to benefit in the first year of funding, increasing to about 60 people each year over the next 5 years.

Ceftazidime with avibactam for people with these resistant infections would improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of kidney failure. Ceftazidime with avibactam is currently used in some Health New Zealand hospitals and accessed through Pharmac’s Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) process. The proposal ensures that eligible people will be able to receive funded treatment. 

We expect that funding ceftazidime with avibactam would improve health outcomes for people with these infections and reduce length of hospital stays. It is given in hospital, every 8 hours for a number of days in a row but will reduce the length of time people stay receiving treatment.

Price reduction and brand change for palbociclib

Palbociclib is a medicine for people with advanced breast cancer that is HR-positive, HER2-negative since 2020. About 550 people use this medicine each year.

The Ibrance brand of palbociclib is currently supplied by Pfizer, and we are changing the brand to Palbociclib Pfizer, which is also supplied by Pfizer. There is a reduction in price for palbociclib.

Palbociclib Pfizer is made by the same supplier, has been approved by Medsafe, is manufactured at the same site, to the same specifications, and is packaged similarly, to Ibrance. It is a type of medicine called a CDK4/6 inhibitor, which slows down the progression of cancer.

The new brand of palbociclib, Palbociclib Pfizer, will be funded from 1 July 2025. All people receiving palbociclib would need to transition from Ibrance to Palbociclib Pfizer within a five-month period. From 1 December 2025 the Ibrance brand would be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

From 1 July 2024, we funded another CDK4/6 inhibitor, called ribociclib for this group.

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac has decided to fund a new progestogen-only oral contraceptive pill called desogestrel (branded as Cerazette).

Melissa Copland, Pharmac’s Clinical Lead–Medicines Management, says desogestrel will be funded for anyone who needs it from 1 April 2025.

“Desogestrel is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill. It helps prevents pregnancy when taken within a 12-hour window each day, which is a wider window than other funded progestogen-only pills, which is three hours.

“We expect that over 43,000 New Zealanders will benefit from access to this contraceptive in the first year of funding. It will be funded without restrictions, which means it can be prescribed for any relevant use.”

Copland thanked everyone who provided feedback during Pharmac’s public consultation on desogestrel.

“We received a huge amount of positive feedback from people who would benefit from Pharmac’s decision to fund desogestrel.

“They shared with us their personal stories about how this funding decision would improve their health, and in many cases, benefit their lives.

“Many people were also happy that they will have more options for contraceptives. This was particularly important for people who couldn’t take other contraceptives because of side effects or existing health conditions.”

Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Medical Director Dr Beth Messenger says desogestrel (Cerazette) is a contraceptive pill with a multitude of potential uses, making it an attractive option for many people.

“Subsidising Cerazette will offer many women the opportunity to try this pill which was previously out of reach. Not only is it a highly effective contraceptive, it can also help manage other reproductive health challenges. As a clinician, this is a great option to have in my prescribing tool kit,” says Dr Messenger.

Pharmac can fund desogestrel following the Government’s $604 million medicine budget increase in June 2024. Since receiving the additional funding, Pharmac has funded 44 medicines for different health conditions and is currently considering 14 more.

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac Board Chair Paula Bennett is welcoming an independent report calling for stronger, more respectful relationships with consumers to ensure their voices are listened to and included in the organisation’s work.

The report was prepared for the Board following two workshops with advocacy groups representing people with lived experience of health conditions. The Board commissioned the workshops, which were independently chaired by Dame Kerry Prendergast in Wellington last November.

“I want to really thank the people who took part in the workshops and generously shared their personal experiences and insights into working with Pharmac,” says Bennett. 

Workshop participants identified a number of areas where Pharmac needs to improve the way it engages, communicates and works with consumer groups and advocates. This included better decision-making processes, meaningful and respectful engagement, and effective and transparent communications. 

“We’ve heard very clearly that we need to make sure our interactions are respectful and meaningful, and that people’s voices are valued and included throughout our work,” Bennett says. 

“There’s a lot for the Board and Pharmac’s senior management to think about, and we’re considering the next steps. This work is part of a wider reset for Pharmac to become an outward-focused organisation. The team at Pharmac does an amazing job and we’re committed to meaningful change to strengthen Pharmac’s relationships with consumers.”

She says the Board has proactively released the report of the workshops to demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to change and being transparent.

Source: PHARMAC

Information on what the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) will be considering at its meeting in May 2025.

Source: PHARMAC

Source: PHARMAC

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac is consulting on a proposal that would make it easier for thousands of New Zealanders to access contraceptives.

Pharmac’s Clinical Lead – Medicines Management, Melissa Copland, says that the changes would improve access, and remove barriers for people who use IUDs.

“The changes we are proposing would mean people would be able to get Mirena and Jaydess IUDs directly from their doctor or nurse, during their appointment.

“Under the current system, people need to get a prescription, pick their IUD up from a pharmacy, and then bring it back to the clinic to get it placed.

“We know that this extra step can lead to delays and barriers to accessing IUDs for some people.

“Funding the Mirena and Jaydess IUDs on the Practitioners Supply Order (PSO) list will make it faster and easier for New Zealanders to access these IUDs and make access consistent with other long-acting contraceptives.”

The Practitioners Supply Order (PSO) list allows health care practitioners to get funded medicines for use in their clinics. Pharmac is also proposing to increase the number of Jadelle contraceptive implants that clinics can order on PSO.

“We have been told that some clinics place a large number of Jadelle implants each week. These clinics often have to make multiple orders, which can take a lot of time,” says Copland.

“This is why we are proposing to increase the number of Jadelle that clinics can order on PSO, as it will reduce how many orders need to be made and save these clinics time.”

The Government provided additional funding to Pharmac in June 2024 to fund new medicines and widen access to medicines that are already funded. The funding boost covers medicines for both cancer and non-cancer health conditions.

The consultation closes on 4pm on Friday 25 April. If the decision is approved, we expect these changes will be made from 1 July 2025.

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to fund two brands of oestradiol patches for New Zealanders to use – Estradot, and Estradiol TDP Mylan.

If approved, Pharmac would fund both brands of oestradiol patches from 1 December 2025 and people could use either brand of patch, subject to availability. The public consultation opens on 27 March and closes on 22 April. 

In November 2024, Pharmac decided to fund Estradiol TDP Mylan oestradiol patches as the main funded brand to manage supply issues. When Pharmac notified the decision, we received a significant amount of feedback about the importance of having multiple brands of oestradiol patches available.

“We heard very clearly at the end of last year that a single brand of patch does not work well for everyone, and that we needed to have consulted more fully than we did. We are sorry for this and want to get it right this time.”

Since then, Pharmac has been working with people who use oestradiol patches, menopause specialists, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to reflect their feedback in a new proposal to fund both Estradot and TDP Mylan patches.

“We want to thank everyone who has provided feedback on the need for more than one brand of oestradiol patch,” says Pharmac’s Manager of Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin.

“We encourage everyone who uses oestradiol patches or who works with people who do, and anyone else with an interest in this issue, to take part in our public consultation.”

She noted, however, that there continue to be ongoing issues with the supply of Estradot.

“Internationally and in New Zealand there has been a large increase in demand for oestradiol patches over the last few years and we expect this to keep increasing. These increases have meant that the factory that makes Estradot cannot make enough to keep up with increasing demand.

“Through this proposal we have secured as much stock of Estradot as the supplier can provide but unfortunately the ongoing global supply issues mean there may be times when there’s not enough Estradot patches for everyone who wants to use them,” she says.

“The supplier of Estradiol TDP Mylan has assured Pharmac that it can produce enough patches to meet the demand in New Zealand. This is why our proposal is to have two brands funded. Pharmac also funds other oestradiol treatments, like oestradiol gel, which can, for some people, be used as an alternative.” 

Martin says all currently funded brands of oestradiol patches will continue to be funded as Pharmac works through this process.