Proposal to fund letermovir to prevent serious infection

Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to fund letermovir, a medicine that helps prevent serious viral infection in people with very weak immune systems.

Under this proposal, letermovir would be funded from 1 May 2026 for people who have had a stem cell transplant, as well as a small number of other people with severe immunosuppression who cannot use other funded antiviral medicines.

We have heard from clinicians involved in stem cell transplant care and from Pharmac’s clinical advisors that preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with letermovir could make a meaningful difference, particularly early in recovery after transplant. This proposal would support a small group of people each year who are at highest risk of serious infection.

We are now inviting feedback on this proposal

Consultation is open until 5pm, Thursday 19 March 2026. You can provide feedback by emailing consult@pharmac.govt.nz, or by using the online form linked in the consultation document.

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

Ngā mihi

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

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