New at-home testing kit to be funded by Pharmac
Pharmac has decided to fund an at-home low sensitivity test kit that confirms a pregnancy has ended following a medical abortion.
The urine test kit (branded as CheckToP) detects the levels of hormones in the body through a urine sample. The at-home test reduces barriers for people to get the information they need to confirm the end of a pregnancy.
Alexandra Compton, Pharmac’s Senior Therapeutic Group Manager / Team Leader, says the low sensitivity urine test kits will be funded for anyone who needs them from 1 December 2024.
“Over 9,000 New Zealanders will benefit from access to these tests in the first year of funding. People will be able to get them when they see their health care professional for the medicines for an abortion.
“People will be able to carry out the test in an environment they’re comfortable in and at a time that suits them best. We think this will help increase the number of follow up tests being done and reduce the need for follow-up blood tests.”
Compton thanked everyone who provided feedback during Pharmac’s public consultation on the CheckToP, at home test kit.
“Through consultation feedback people told us that having the tests available would reduce barriers for people to keep themselves well and healthy. They said the kits would support simple, safe, and convenient access to health care that will serve our communities well,” says Compton.
“We heard that this decision supports a self-care approach of health and management of abortion in the home and community settings, especially for people living rurally.”
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’s Medical Director, Dr Beth Messenger celebrates the decision.
"This is a great decision as it allows those who have had an early medical abortion to confirm for themselves that the termination is complete. By doing so, this demedicalises the process and reduces the barriers to confirm that it has been successful.”
The Government provided additional funding to Pharmac in June 2024 to fund new medicines and to widen access to medicines that are already funded. The funding boost covers medicines for both cancer and non-cancer health conditions.