Treatment access is a critical component of public health strategies, and Pharmac is taking steps to enhance this access for individuals with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and certain types of epilepsy. Pharmac has opened a consultation on proposals to widen access to treatment for UTIs and to fund a new treatment option for epilepsy. This consultation period is open until Thursday, 1 August.
Pharmac’s Senior Therapeutic Group Manager / Team Leader, Alexandra Compton, emphasized the significant impact these proposals could have. She highlighted that over 2,900 New Zealanders could benefit from these treatments in the first year if the proposals are approved. Specifically, an estimated 2,600 people with UTIs and about 300 people with epilepsy stand to gain from the expanded access.
Treatment Expansion Proposal Aims to Reduce Hospital Cases for UTIs with Community Provision of Fosfomycin
Compton noted that while many individuals can easily treat a UTI with antibiotics from their GP or pharmacist, there are cases where hospital treatment is currently required. This is where the proposal to provide the antibiotic fosfomycin in the community comes into play. According to the Anti-Infective Advisory Committee, this community provision could greatly benefit patients, potentially reducing the number of hospital-treated cases by 80%.
In addition to the UTI treatment, the consultation also proposes funding zonisamide for treating specific forms of epilepsy. Epilepsy New Zealand CEO Ross Smith views this as a significant advancement for epilepsy treatment in the country. Pharmac seeks feedback from individuals with lived experience of UTIs or epilepsy, their families, clinicians, and other health sector stakeholders regarding the proposed eligibility criteria for both medications.
Treatment Expansion Proposal Supported by New Government Funding Aims to Enhance Access to Fosfomycin
The New Zealand Government allocated additional funding to Pharmac in June 2024 to support the introduction of new medicines and broaden access to already funded medications. This funding boost is intended to cover treatments for both cancer and non-cancer health conditions. If the proposal is approved, it would enable New Zealanders with uncomplicated UTIs to access fosfomycin in their communities, significantly reducing hospital admissions. Fosfomycin is currently funded for use in Health New Zealand hospitals.
The proposal also aims to provide an additional treatment option for people with certain types of epilepsy, including developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) and refractory focal epilepsies. Pharmac’s estimate suggests that the proposed changes could benefit over 2,900 New Zealanders in the first year of funding. This includes an estimated 2,600 people with UTIs and about 300 people with epilepsy.
In summary, Pharmac’s consultation on expanding access to UTI treatment and funding a new epilepsy medication represents a proactive approach to addressing unmet medical needs in New Zealand. By enabling community access to fosfomycin, the proposal could significantly reduce hospital visits for UTIs, easing the burden on the healthcare system.
Additionally, funding zonisamide for epilepsy offers a new hope for those living with this challenging condition. The feedback gathered from this consultation will be instrumental in refining the eligibility criteria and ensuring that the expanded access meets the needs of the affected populations. If approved, these changes will mark a substantial improvement in the availability and accessibility of crucial treatments for New Zealanders.
Resource: Pharmac, July 18, 2024
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