8 May 2017 - PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to widen funded access to various pharmaceuticals in the anti-infectives therapeutic area and to list of a dispersible formulation of roxithromycin, to take effect from 1 July 2017.

In summary:

• Antiretrovirals funding criteria would be widened to allow early treatment of people with HIV infection.
  
• Azithromycin (Apo-Azithromycin, Zithromax) funding criteria would be widened to include the treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in children.
  
• Lamivudine (Zeffix) funding criteria would be widened to include prophylaxis of hepatitis B reinfection in immunocompromised patients receiving rituximab-based treatment for malignancy.
  
• Ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (Harvoni) funding criteria for treatment of hepatitis C would be widened to include patients with a lower end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of 12 or greater.
  
• Roxithromycin dispersible tablets (Rulide D), through a provisional agreement with Sanofi-Aventis New Zealand Ltd, would be funded for children under 12 years of age.
  

Read PHARMAC consultation