19 March 2024 - Rare Disorders NZ is very concerned that Pharmac will not extend access to life-saving medicines for children with rare disorders in line with child cancer patients under Rule 8.1b, despite Pharmac concluding from its own review the real impact on treatment and health outcomes this rule has for patients.

Pharmac announced back in November 2022 that it will be reviewing rule 8.1b of the Pharmaceutical Schedule under which children with cancer are able to access any new paediatric cancer medicines their clinician deems most suitable for their condition, even if it has not yet been assessed by Pharmac.

Read Rare Disorders NZ press release