1 December 2016 - The December 2016 issue of the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule is now available and in effect.

Two new medicines have been listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule, subject to Special Authority criteria, for the treatment of patients with rare enzyme deficiency disorders:

• Alglucosidase alfa (Myozyme) for patients with infantile/early-onset Pompe disease

• Idursulfase (Elaprase) for patients with Hunter syndrome

These medicines have been listed as part of a tender process; funding application dates are not available.

Alglucosidase alfa (Myozyme) is not listed for use by patients with late-onset Pompe disease.  Sanofi Genzyme applied for the listing of Myozyme for use by patients with late-onset Pompe disease in May 2016.

Read New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule update