25 March 2020 - Sacubitril with valsartan is a medicine used in the management of clinically significant, treatment refractory heart failure.

Given the current uncertainties and potential strains on the wider health sector, we are focused on ensuring minimal interruption to access to health care for people and want to ensure ongoing and practical access to treatments as needed.

PHARMAC is aware that ECHOs may be impractical while the New Zealand health sector is responding to COVID-19. As such, we have amended the Special Authority criteria to allow access to this medicine, even where an ECHO has not been conducted. This change comes into effect on 1 April 2020.

Read PHARMAC Statement