A Pharmac proposal to fund hepatitis C drugs has created a stir among sufferers, but not everyone will be covered, Hepatitis C Resource Centre Otago co-ordinator Allison Beck says.
This week the drug-buying agency announced a proposal to fund Harvoni and Viekira Pak, which are highly effective at curing hepatitis C. If approved, they could be available in July.
They would be reserved for hepatitis C patients with severe liver disease for all but one large group, those suffering from genotype 1, who account for 57% of hepatitis C sufferers.
"The problem I have with this is: why are we treating [the other types] right at the very end?; because their odds aren't as good. They should be treating before the person's liver is stuffed,'' Ms Beck said.
It would, however, be a "good start'' to have an effective treatment funded, she said.
Because they have not been available in New Zealand at an affordable price, many Kiwis joined a "buyers' club'' in Australia to procure drugs offshore.
Ms Beck said she had been fielding calls from people yesterday who were excited about the Pharmac proposal.
She said a Dunedin man who was considering pursuing the buyers' club route now planned to wait for the funded treatment, which could save him up to $5000.
"We've been really pushing this buyers' club, which is why I think Pharmac has crumpled a little bit.''
Dunedin gastroenterologist Associate Prof Michael Schultz said Pharmac's proposal was "a huge step forward''.
"I think we can all be thrilled.''
In recent months, Dr Schultz has provided medical care for patients who obtained the drugs through the buyers' club.
He expected there would be a huge demand when the drugs became available.
"We have about 100 patients who failed previous treatment and they are waiting for the new drugs, and we have about another 100 who have never been treated.''
Pharmac acting director of operations Lisa Williams said the drug-buying agency had been unable to reach an agreement with a supplier of a treatment for the other genotypes.
"The two treatments that Pharmac is proposing to fund for hepatitis C are major advancements in the treatment of this serious viral infection, with cure rates of more than 90% with as little as 12 weeks' treatment.
"Pharmac is aware of a number of other products for hepatitis C which are in development, and we are continuing to explore more options to widen treatment coverage for those with hepatitis C.''
