Rare Disorders NZ: Reducing Access To Cancer Medicine For Children To Improve Equity Unacceptable
November 10, 2022
Rare Disorders NZ is deeply concerned that Pharmac’s announced review of rule 8.1b of the Pharmaceutical Schedule may lead to reduced access to medicines for children with cancer.
Currently rule 8.1b ensures all medicines to treat children with cancer in New Zealand is funded without needing an evaluation by Pharmac first. This is an exception to the usual funding process for medicines in New Zealand, and is part of why New Zealand currently provides among the best and most equitable child oncology services in the world.
Pharmac is reviewing rule 8.1b of the Pharmaceutical Schedule due to concerns around the increasing costs of new medicines, and that other groups, such as children with rare disorders, do not have the same funding access to medicines.
Rare Disorders NZ considers any moves to limit access to medicines in an attempt to improve equity unacceptable and highly unethical.