20 February 2014 - PHARMAC is pleased to announce the approval of proposals to widen the restriction on rituximab use in DHB hospitals and expand the funding of eltrombopag in both hospitals and the community. This was the subject of consultation letters dated 13 September 2013 and 4 November 2013 respectively. In summary, the effects of the decisions are that:

• The restriction on rituximab use in hospitals will be widened to include nine new indications; and
• The funding for eltrombopag will be widened to include patients with 20,000 to 30,000 platelets per microlitre and evidence of significant mucocutaneous bleeding.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/notification-2014-02-19-rituximab-eltrombopag/