ProCare, a leading healthcare provider, is delighted to receive confirmation from Pharmac that the life-changing drug Trikafta, which can add up for 27 years of good health for those with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), is being funded for eligible patients from 1 April 2023.
Prior to this announcement from Pharmac, CF patients using Trikafta had to privately bear the cost of this treatment, more than $300,000 a year.
ProCare Group CEO, Bindi Norwell, says “This is wonderful news for CF patients and their whānau. We know many CF patients have a close relationship with their GP, many of whom have treated their patients their entire life. It was a no-brainer for ProCare to support funding that would make a huge different to CF patients’ lives.”
Dr Allan Moffit, Clinical Director for ProCare, says “Apart from the physical effects of living with CF, there are wider mental and emotional impacts for patients and their families, and the medical burden on patients who have to take multiple medications every day. Funding Trikafta will significantly reduce not only the physical toll of having CF, but also the mental and emotional toll.”
One area ProCare had highlighted as part of its submission to Pharmac, was that they re-consider the recommendation that prescriptions would be “sent to and collected from Te Whatu Ora hospital pharmacies”. Whilst they have acknowledged this in the response to consultations, if we are to truly put whānau at the centre of healthcare in Aotearoa, then we should endeavour to make this medication available at patients’ local or community pharmacy.
The administrative ‘cost’ of dealing with CF is already high enough without asking patients to visit hospital pharmacies which are not always in convenient locations and more often than not incur a higher than usual cost for parking.
About ProCare
ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to more than 830,000 people across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz
