New report highlights medication underfunding in NZ
What a new report about funding of cancer medicines tells us about the broader chronic underfunding of medications in NZ. On 28 April 2022, the Cancer Control Agency I Te Aho o te Kahu, released a report that examined the gap between the number of cancer medications that Australia funds, versus how many are funded […]
Unjustified dismissal for severe migraine – lessons for NZ
What a worker’s experience of unjustified dismissal tells us about the management of migraine in New Zealand. On 20 April 2022, the New Zealand Herald reported on a story about a mechanical technician, Shane Hawkins, who was awarded compensation for unjustified dismissal due to his persistent and debilitating migraine attacks. Two aspects of this story […]
Pharmac declines application for wider range of triptans
After nearly 10 years, Pharmac finally published its decision for funding a wider range of triptans. Nearly 10 years ago, in July 2012, Pharmac received an application for a wider range of triptan medications to be funded for people living with migraine. Only two triptans are funded and available in New Zealand – sumatriptan and […]
Feedback to Pharmac on consideration of erenumab (Aimovig)
Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand has submitted feedback to Pharmac and PTAC following its consideration of erenumab (Aimovig) for prophylactic treatment of migraine. Pharmac is the agency in Aotearoa New Zealand that is responsible for deciding what medicines to fund. Pharmac operates from a fixed budget, which is set by the Government. To help in […]
