Source: PHARMAC
New Zealanders living with multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, eye conditions, and lung cancer will benefit from five medicines that Pharmac will fund from 1 December 2025.
The funding decision includes new treatments and faster-to-administer versions of existing medicines, secured through a multiproduct agreement with pharmaceutical supplier Roche. Around 1,700 people are expected to benefit in the first year, increasing to 4,000 people after five years.
“These changes are expected to improve access to treatment and ease pressure on hospital services,” says Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals Adrienne Martin. “We estimate these changes will save up to 7,500 infusion hours in the first year, increasing to 12,800 hours by year five.”
“The benefits to the health system are significant, including financial savings. This decision is expected to save the health system nearly $11 million over five years, thanks to fewer infusion hours,” Martin says.
The five medicines funded are:
- Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus SC) – a new injection (subcutaneous) version of an already funded intravenous (IV) infusion medicine for multiple sclerosis.
- Pertuzumab with trastuzumab (Phesgo) – a new combined injection (subcutaneous) version of two already funded intravenous (IV) infusion medicines for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
- Faricimab (Vabysmo) – a new injection treatment for people with diabetic macular oedema and wet age-related macular degeneration (eye conditions).
- Entrectinib (Rozlytrek) – a new oral treatment for people with ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer.
- Bevacizumab (Avastin) – secured ongoing access to this already funded injection treatment for people with certain eye conditions.
Pharmac consulted on the proposal in September.
“We received around 150 responses to our proposal, thank you to everyone who shared their opinions and experiences.”
“Most feedback supported the proposal, saying funding these medicines will improve quality of life, make treatment more convenient, and positively impact individuals, families, and the wider health system,” says Martin. “Some feedback called for funded access for more people and the ability to administer these medicines in more settings.”
In response to this feedback, we removed the Health New Zealand hospital-only restriction for faricimab (Vabysmo), allowing people to access treatment more easily, in the same way as other similar eye treatments.
Pharmac will also work with clinicians, professional and consumer groups, and the supplier (Roche) to gather more information about expanding access criteria and funding for faricimab (Vabysmo) and lung cancer treatments. It will use this information to get further clinical advice in 2026.
