PHARMAC fully funding innovation in haemophilia treatment

PHARMAC fully funding innovative improvements in haemophilia treatment

PHARMAC has today provided haemophilia patients fully funded access to new innovative treatment options which will make a major difference to their lives, PHARMAC Director of Operations Lisa Williams says.

“PHARMAC now funds two innovative, highly effective, longer-acting treatments that mean people with haemophilia will need fewer injections to maintain active lives and prevent bleeding episodes that can result in long-term disability,” Ms Williams says.

“People with haemophilia in New Zealand will now have some of the broadest access in the world to the new longer-acting treatments.

“These treatments are expected to benefit around 160 people. The new treatments have the potential to reduce the number of injections people need to around two per week. This could mean more than 50 fewer injections a year for someone living with haemophilia.

“It’s great that PHARMAC’s innovative funding model has allowed us to provide access to these medicines.”

The new longer-acting treatments provide better protection against bleeding episodes for longer and patients need fewer complicated intravenous injections.

Current treatments for haemophilia require a patient to self-administer or have a parent, carer or nurse administer an injection up to three times per week to be protected from bleeding.

“All people with severe haemophilia who require regular preventative treatment will be able to access the newly funded medicines,” Ms Williams says.

“PHARMAC is working with the Haemophilia Foundation of New Zealand, pharmaceutical companies and clinicians in DHBs to provide education and information on the new treatment options to patients and their carers.”

ENDS

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