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Pharmac is proposing to widen access to a medicine used in the treatment of chronic heart failure.
The medicine, empagliflozin, would be available to people who have chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction - about half of all people with chronic heart failure.
Pharmac director of pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon says empagliflozin is a medicine that can give people more time with their loved ones and lessens the time spent in hospital.
"People with chronic heart failure, their families, and health professionals have told us that funding empagliflozin will help to manage the growing health problem of chronic heart failure in New Zealand," MacGibbon said.
If approved, 18,000 people are expected to benefit in the first year of funding.
Pharmac said empagliflozin is part of a class of medicines called SGLT2 inhibitors.
"Evidence demonstrates that SGLT2 inhibitors can ease the associated symptoms of heart failure, protect the heart, delay kidney failure, reduce heart failure related hospitalisations and help people live longer."
Heart Foundation medical director Dr Gerry Devlin said this would be a step in bringing New Zealand in line with international best practice for treatment of heart failure.
"Currently many patients must self-fund these treatments, and many more lose out. Widening access will have a significant impact on improving the quality of life for many heart failure patients and improving the heart health of New Zealanders."
Consultation of the funding proposal closes on 13 September and a proposal will then be taken to Pharmac's Board or a delegate for a decision.
Access is expected to be widened from 1 December if approved.
