Pharmac funds a new medicine for people in hospital with serious infections and improves access to medicines for bacterial infections and high blood pressure
Pharmac is expanding funding for several medicines to treat serious multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and autonomic dysreflexia in patients with spinal cord injuries. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens for clinicians and improve patient access to essential treatments.
Why it matters
Improving access to specialized medications reduces healthcare inequality and streamlines treatment pathways for patients with rare or complex conditions.
Pharmac has decided to fund a new medicine and widen access to three medicines to improve treatment options for people with difficult-to-treat, multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, and for people with spinal cord injuries who experience autonomic dysreflexia, a condition that may cause episodes of sudden high blood pressure.
From 1 November 2026, ceftolozane with tazobactam will be funded in hospital for people with serious multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Funded access to bedaquiline and linezolid will also be widened for people with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, which are rare and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. In addition, access to captopril oral liquid will be widened for people with spinal cord injuries who experience autonomic dysreflexia, a condition that can cause sudden high blood pressure.
Pharmac's Chief Advisor, Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin, says the changes will make these medicines easier to access by reducing barriers for patients and clinicians.
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