Source: PHARMAC
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal that would make it easier for people with high blood pressure and bacterial infections to access funded medicines.
The proposal would see one new medicine funded, and funded access to three other medicines would be widened and simplified.
Some medicines that are currently funded through Pharmac’s Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) process, where clinicians apply for funding for individual patients, would instead be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule – the list of publicly funded medicines.
This means the medicines would be funded for anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, without the need for individual funding applications.
Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals, Geraldine MacGibbon, says the proposal would make funded treatment easier to access for people with these conditions.
“We’re proposing changes that would both fund a new treatment and widen access to some currently funded medicines” says MacGibbon.
“Pharmac has also identified that we are repeatedly funding some of these medicines for specific conditions through our exceptions pathway. Moving them to our regular national funding mechanism would make access simpler and ensure anyone who meets the funding criteria can receive these medicines as quickly as possible.”
Pharmac is proposing to:
- Fund ceftolozane with tazobactam for people with serious multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
- Widen access to two medicines, bedaquiline and linezolid, for people with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, which are rare and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections.
- Widen access to captopril oral liquid for people with spinal cord injuries who experience episodes of dangerously high blood pressure.
MacGibbon says the proposal has been informed by clinical advice and feedback from healthcare professionals.
The proposal would mean that clinicians would no longer need to submit funding applications for these medicines.
“Reducing the need for exceptional circumstance applications would reduce the administrative burden for clinicians, allowing them to focus more on patient care. It would also allow eligible people to access treatment more quickly and consistently.”
If approved, the proposal would also mean that people with spinal cord injuries could access treatment without visiting a hospital.
“For some people with spinal cord injuries, access to captopril oral liquid could help them manage episodes of dangerously high blood pressure at home and reduce the need for urgent hospital treatment.”
Pharmac is encouraging feedback from patients, whānau, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, and anyone with an interest in the proposal.
Consultation is open until 5pm, Tuesday 29 September
People can provide feedback through the online consultation form.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/15/pharmac-proposal-to-improve-access-to-medicines-for-people-with-high-blood-pressure-and-bacterial-infections/