Pharmac proposal to increase access to five medicines for cancer and other health conditions

Pharmac is proposing to fund increase access to five medicines for treatment of cancer and other health conditions. These medicines were included in our annual multiproduct Invitation to Tender 2023/24.

Consultation on Pharmac’s funding proposal for these medicines is now open and will close on Friday 26 July. Feedback can be provided by emailing consult@pharmac.govt.nz.

Pharmac has sought advice and information from its specialist advisory committees to help develop the funding proposal. Feedback from the public consultation will help us identify any issues that need further consideration before we make a decision.

Lanreotide acetate for various health conditions

We're proposing to fund lanreotide acetate for neuroendocrine cancer, a growth disorder called acromegaly, and people with a bowel obstruction.

Lanreotide acetate is synthetic hormone that is involved in several metabolic processes. It comes as a prefilled syringe that is usually administered by a healthcare professional, but people could be trained to self-administer this at home.

We expect about 40 to 50 people to start on treatment annually. We currently fund a similar treatment called long-acting octreotide, but we understand lanreotide acetate is an easier treatment to take and may be preferred by some people.

Sunitinib and pazopanib for renal cell carcinoma 

We're proposing to widen access to sunitinib. It is a targeted cancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) which slows down the progression of some cancers and may help people live longer. 

We expect about 30 additional people would benefit from treatment each year. We currently fund sunitinib for people with an intermediate or poor prognosis, now it would be funded for people with a good prognosis too.

As part of this proposal, we are also looking to amend the eligibility criteria for a similar medicine, pazopanib. People who are unable to receive sunitinib due to intolerance of the treatment would have access to pazopanib if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

Bendamustine for relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) 

We're proposing to widen access to bendamustine. This is a type of chemotherapy (an anti-cancer medicine) used when people start to experience problematic symptoms from CLL. For this group of people, the cancer often comes back (relapses), meaning that they need other types of treatment.

We expect up to 5 additional people would benefit each year. It is currently only funded for people with previously untreated CLL.

Pemetrexed for any condition

We're proposing to open-list pemetrexed. This is a type of chemotherapy (an anti-cancer medicine). The proposal would mean clinicians can prescribe pemetrexed to anyone they think would benefit including those who have tried other treatments which haven’t worked.

Widening access would remove administrative burden and may provide access to the select few people who need it. 

It is currently only funded for two specific types of cancer, advanced non-small cell lung cancer and for mesothelioma (a cancer effecting the lining of the lungs).

The Government announced additional funding for Pharmac in June to cover medicines for both cancer and non-cancer health conditions. 

Q&A about the Budget increase

If the public consultation identifies issues that require further consideration, the team at Pharmac might need to seek further information and advice. Following that process, Pharmac will make a decision on the funding proposal. 

If approved, changes for bendamustine and pemetrexed would take effect from 1 November 2024. The dates for availability of lanreotide and changes to eligibility criteria for sunitinib and pazopanib are still to be confirmed.