Decision to fund two new combination treatments and widen access to another for people with a type of blood cancer

Pharmac has decided to fund two new combination treatments and widen access to ibrutinib for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) from 1 May 2026.Under this decision:

• People with CLL will be able to receive venetoclax with ibrutinib or venetoclax with obinutuzumab as first‑line treatments, meaning they can be used as an initial treatment option rather than after other treatments have been tried.

• Access to ibrutinib will be widened so it can be used on its own as a second line treatment for people whose CLL has not responded to a previous treatment, has come back, or where earlier treatment has caused side effects.

  
  

Venetoclax, ibrutinib and obinutuzumab are already used to treat blood cancers, but these combinations have not previously been funded together for CLL.You can read more about this decision, including what changed following consultation, on our website: 

• Decision to fund two treatment combinations and widen access to ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia 

Please feel free to share this update with others who may be interested. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | PO Box 10 254 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington

P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz