Posted by Michael Wonder on 28 Feb 2017
Pharma company gives up on PHARMAC–gives drug free to New Zealand patients
28 February 2017 - Sanofi Genzyme developed Myozyme, a complex biological treatment for Pompe disease, a lysosomal disease, over ten years ago.
Since that time funded treatment of affected patients has spread to 76 countries. Over that decade, New Zealand’s drug purchasing agency PHARMAC has consistently refused to fund it, leaving the 10 patients here abandoned and facing relentless decline in their health and quality of life.
After substantial renewed efforts to negotiate with PHARMAC, and with a recent recommendation from PHARMAC's PTAC committee, released early February, that funding should be declined, the company has decided to provide the treatment free to 4 NZ patients. See below for the company’s statement from their Australia & New Zealand General Manager, Fiona Clark.
