95bFM Calls for inflammatory bowel disease medication to be funded in Aotearoa
7 March, 2023
Interview by Sam Clark, adpated by Jessica Hopkins
Chair of Crohn's and Colitis NZ, Dr Richard Stein, says Aotearoa is years behind the rest of the world when it comes to medical care for inflammatory bowel disease. Photo: Unsplash.
Aotearoa has the third-highest rate of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) globally, but essential medication is still unavailable due to Pharmac's budget.
Ustekinumab, otherwise known by its brand name Stelara was approved by MedSafe in 2018 and is already funded in Australia. Crohn's & Colitis NZ petitioned to get Stelara funded in Aotearoa last year, receiving 30,000 signatures.
This led to Pharmac testifying before the Petitions Committee in October last year, where they said Stelara is needed but that they don't have the funding for it.
Chair of Crohn's and Colitis NZ, Dr Richard Stein, told Sam Clark on 95bFM's The Wire that we are years behind the rest of the world in what we have to offer patients.
According to Dr Stein, the current Pharmac Budget is not enough, and our health system overall is not adequately funded for people to receive optimal medical care.
"We need to allocate more funding for desperately needed medication because it can really change lives."
Stein said the cost of funding medications like Ustekinumab will ultimately be less expensive than not having them.
"The monetary cost of the medication is one thing, but look at the social cost. People are hospitalised and have their education, work, and family lives disrupted. How do you put a price on that?"
Public interest journalism funded though NZ On Air
