9 June 2016 - Medicine to treat six diseases, including for advanced melanoma, will be available to New Zealanders.

From July 1, medicine to treat advanced melanoma, Nivolumab, would be fully funded, Pharmac announced today.

Rituximab, for nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder in children, will also be fully funded.

Two medicines to treat hepatitis C, Harvoni and Viekira Pak will also be fully funded.

From August 1, Oestradiol patches for menopausal women would be available, as well as Temozolomide for brain tumours and neuroendocrine tumours available from December 1.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said the new treatments would benefit over 40,000 New Zealanders.

For more details, go to: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11653588