Pharmac decision to increase access to type 2 diabetes medicines
The New Zealand government has announced that Pharmac will expand access to type 2 diabetes medications starting September 1st. The decision removes previous eligibility barriers related to ethnicity or specific cardiovascular conditions.
Why it matters
This policy change aims to improve health outcomes for over 30,000 patients by simplifying access to essential diabetes treatments.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to widen access to type 2 diabetes medicines based on clinical need.
“Improving access to medicines in New Zealand is important to patients and their families. That’s why it has been a focus for this Government,” Mr Seymour says.
From 1 September, Pharmac will widen access to empagliflozin, empagliflozin with metformin, liraglutide and dulaglutide for people with type 2 diabetes.
“Pharmac has made the decision to fund these medicines for everybody who needs them, no matter their ethnicity. The decision is expected to benefit more than 30,000 patients over the next five years,” Mr Seymour says.
“These medicines help lower blood sugar and reduce the likelihood of heart and kidney complications. Now more people with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of heart or kidney complications can receive these medicines earlier.
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