28 April 2017 - PHARMAC is pleased to announce that the approval of an agreement with Specialised Therapeutics Limited for the listing of 5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride.

This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 31 March 2017. In summary, the effect of the decision is that aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride will be funded by DHB hospitals, subject to restrictions, for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed, untreated, glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer) who are undergoing fluorescence-guided surgery.

The proposed hospital restrictions differ slightly from those consulted on. An additional criterion has been added following consideration of consultation feedback which requires that the patient’s tumours must be amenable to complete resection.

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