18 December 2018 - PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to amend the distribution arrangements and access criteria for the funding of dasatinib (Sprycel) tablets for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) from 1 May 2019.

In summary:

• Dasatinib would be funded subject to a standard Special Authority managed by the Ministry of Health and there would no longer be a requirement for individual patient applications to be made to the CML coordinator at PHARMAC. Direct distribution to patients or their nominated collection point would cease and dasatinib would instead need to be collected from community pharmacies in the same way as other funded medicines.
  
• Dasatinib would be funded in the first-line treatment setting only for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoid leukaemia (Ph+ ALL) or CML in blast crisis, accelerated phase or those considered to have ‘high-risk’ disease. Funded access in the first-line setting would also be permitted for patients who are enrolled and receiving treatment in the non-industry funded Kinase Inhibition with Sprycel Start up (KISS) trial.
  
• For all other patients with CML, dasatinib would be funded as a second-line treatment for those who experience treatment failure or adverse events on imatinib.
  
• Dasatinib would continue to be funded for existing patients who started on funded dasatinib treatment prior to 1 May 2019, including participants in the KISS trial who have already started funded treatment, providing that renewal criteria continue to be met.
  

Read PHARMAC consultation