More people will be able to access a medicine for osteoporosis, as Pharmac says it is widening funding of the medicine called denosumab.
Denosumab is an injection medicine that helps to maintain bone strength, prevent fractures, and keeps blood calcium levels healthy. It was first proposed to be funded by Pharmac in 2018.
Today Pharmac announced it would widen access of the medication to people with osteoporosis, and a higher dose of the medicine would also be funded for people with cancer who have high levels of calcium in their blood.
In addition to the 500 people currently using denosumab, Pharmac estimated around 2000 more people would use it during the first full year of funding.
This is expected to increase year on year so after 5 years, over 12,600 more people could be taking the medicine.
Pharmac Senior Therapeutic Group Manager Alexandra Compton said one of the benefits of the medicine was that people could give the injection to themselves or administered by a caregiver.
“They won’t need to see their health care professional for treatment – it’s a win win for individuals and the public health sector,” she said.
In their consultation feedback, Osteoporosis NZ applauded Pharmac on the proposal.
The agency said it would greatly improve and enhance the current deficiencies associated with fragility fracture prevention in New Zealand.
Access to denosumab for people with high blood calcium will be from February 1, 2025. Widened access to denosumab for people with osteoporosis will be from March 1, 2025.
Pharmac can widen access to these medicines following the Government’s $604 million medicine budget increase in June 2024.
