Pharmac confirms changes to simplify biologic medicine funding criteria

We’re letting you know that Pharmac has made a decision to change the funded access criteria for infliximab, etanercept, secukinumab and rituximab.These changes update the Special Authority and Hospital Indication Restrictions for these medicines to simplify and align the criteria where possible. Most of the changes relate to wording and consistency, and the overall intent of the criteria remains the same. However, in some instances we have made more substantive changes, including:

• extending approval durations

• allowing a wider range of prescribers to apply for funding

• removing renewal requirements for some conditions

  
  

These changes reflect feedback received during consultation and support Pharmac’s commitment to reducing administrative burden and improving access to funded treatments. No criteria are becoming more restrictive, and this decision does not include widening access to new indications.

More information about the decision is available on our website.

The updated criteria will take effect from 1 March 2026.

Ngā mihi,

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Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | PO Box 10-254 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington www.pharmac.govt.nz