Erenumab funding application; gender impact assessment for funding applications
3 December 2021
Tēnā koe [name and contact details withheld]
Request for information
Thank you for your request dated 5 November 2021 under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). I am pleased to provide a response to part of your request and explain below when a follow-up response for your other questions will be provided.
In writing to us, you asked for information relating to the funding application for erenumab, and on gender impact assessment for funding applications. You noted:
- …The [PTAC] recommendation will be referred to the Pharmac board. Can you please advise me when that will take place?
- Given migraines predominately affect women (who in turn have disproportionate caring responsibilities), can you please advise at what point a gender impact assessment will be undertaken to ensure that the disproportionate impacts on women and their families are considered in the final decision?
- Can you please advise on how gender impact is assessed at Pharmac more generally. That is, what steps are taken to ensure that access to drugs is equitable according to gender?
When will erenumab be referred to the Pharmac Board for a decision
We are often asked this question from people interested in a variety of different medicines however, we cannot be definitive about the timing of a funding decision as we must be fair and remain open-minded to the medicines needs of all New Zealanders.
We assess all funding applications using our Factors for Consideration to ensure that every application is treated fairly. Every medicine or therapeutic product that is recommended for funding by our advisors is compared and ranked against all other funding options.
The relative priority of any funding proposal is dependent on several factors, including (but not limited to) the recommendation of the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) and/or specialist advisory committees, the mix of other applications being assessed, the amount of funding available, the success of commercial negotiations, and/or the availability of clinical data.
If you would like to know more about the medicines funding process, please visit our website: www.pharmac.govt.nz > Medicine funding and supply > The funding process > From application to funded medicine: Pharmac's process.
Gender impact assessment
We would like to advise that we will respond to this portion of your request by Friday 17 December (an extension of 10 working days as allowed under section 15A of the OIA). This is because we need more time to complete consultations regarding your request.
Please note you have the right, by way of complaint under section 28(3) of the OIA to an Ombudsman, to seek an investigation and review of our decision.
Thank you for your interest in our work. Please get in touch if you have any questions about our response to date.
Ngā mihi
Peter Alsop
Director, Engagement and Implementation