Proposal to transition funded access to dornase alfa to a standard Special Authority
PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to transition the process for obtaining funded access to dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) from the cystic fibrosis (CF) Panel to a standard Special Authority from 1 December 2020.
The proposal involves the continuation of funding of dornase alpha for eligible patients; the main change would be to the mechanism of application for funding.
In summary, from 1 December 2020 this proposal would result in:
- Access to funded dornase alpha transitioning to a standard Special Authority criteria to be listed in Section B and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
Applications for dornase alfa could be made either electronically, via the electronic Special Authority system, or manually on the Special Authority forms available on the PHARMAC website.
Consultation closes at 5pm Friday 16 October 2020 and feedback can be emailed to cfpanel@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
For patients
This would involve continuation of funding of dornase alfa for eligible patients. This transition would ensure that those patients who meet the intent of the current criteria for treatment would receive treatment in a more streamlined way. It would also improve equity of access to these treatments as this transition aims to reduce the burden placed on patients in order to access dornase alfa.
The pre pandemic requirement for a stable baseline requiring three spirometry tests over a six-week period would be removed from the initial criteria.
For pharmacies and DHBs
There would be no significant impacts for pharmacies or DHBs from this proposal
For prescribers
The proposal would not change those prescribers eligible to apply for dornase alfa. This would however provide a more streamlined mechanism for clinicians working within their vocational scope to apply for funded dornase alfa therapy for their patients. It would also improve equity of access to these treatments as this transition aims to reduce the burden placed on prescribers when prescribing dornase alfa.
Who we think will be interested
- People with cystic fibrosis and their family, whānau or caregivers
- Cystic Fibrosis NZ and any others who support people and families with cystic fibrosis
- People interested in the funding of medicines for cystic fibrosis
- Respiratory physicians, paediatricians, respiratory nurses, and other clinicians and health professionals involved in the management of cystic fibrosis
- Hospital pharmacies and DHBs
- Pharmaceutical suppliers
About dornase alfa
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that affects the lungs, the digestive system and other organs. It is usually diagnosed soon after birth. There are over 500 children and adults living with cystic fibrosis in New Zealand.
Cystic fibrosis is caused by changes in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein, leading to thick and sticky mucus that blocks organ function. Symptoms and severity can vary – some people with cystic fibrosis remain well for a long period of time with minimal symptoms or hospital admissions, while others require more intensive medical care. Cystic fibrosis can lead to severe lung damage that is life threatening and eventually leads to death.
Dornase alfa is a medicine used for the management of cystic fibrosis patients to improve pulmonary function. It is delivered by inhalation using a jet nebuliser.
Why we’re proposing this
When dornase alpha was originally funded in 1996 there were no satisfactory treatments for cystic fibrosis other than dornase alpha.
Currently members of PHARMAC’s Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Panel assess whether applications meet the eligibility criteria for accessing dornase alfa. These arrangements currently target funding for dornase alfa to patients with cystic fibrosis refractory to other treatment options. However, since dornase alfa was funded, the cost of this medicine has reduced considerably compared with other medicines.
PHARMAC is proposing to transition access to dornase alfa to a standard Special Authority. This would provide a more streamlined mechanism for clinicians working within their vocational scope to apply for funded dornase alfa therapy for their patients. It would also improve equity of access to these treatments, as this transition aims to reduce the burden placed on applicants and patients when accessing dornase alfa. In addition, it would also reduce the requirements for patients and their carers/whānau, clinicians and PHARMAC staff when evaluating and managing access to dornase alfa (pulmozyme) on an individual basis.
Details about our proposal
The proposal involves continuing to fund dornase alfa for eligible patients. The proposal would not change those prescribers eligible to apply for dornase alfa. This transition would ensure that those patients who meet the intent of the current criteria for treatment, would receive treatment in a more streamlined way. Accordingly, to ensure this, the transition could involve widening of access to dornase alfa.
PHARMAC does not anticipate any alterations to the group of patients who are currently eligible for funded access as a result of this change in the mechanism of application.
PHARMAC sought advice from the CF Panel and the Respiratory Subcommittee of the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) to develop an appropriate Special Authority criteria to enable this transition. The clinical advisors recommended transferring funded access to dornase alfa to a standard Special Authority that would contain new, but similar, criteria.
There are minor changes proposed to the criteria used by the CF Panel to assess eligibility. The intention of these changes has been to ensure that patients and prescribers are not disadvantaged by the criteria, while ensuring that treatment is made available to those patients considered to meet the intent of the current criteria.
The most important considerations were as follows:
- Removal of the requirement for spirometry to commence treatment with dornase alfa or to renew access to dornase alfa for patients greater than 5 years of age.
- Focussing the criteria on exacerbations rather than hospitalisations for all patients; and
- Generating one set of criteria for all patients with cystic fibrosis.