Pharmac to fund new Crohn’s disease drug

A long-awaited inflammatory bowel disease drug which advocates say will have a ‘‘huge impact’’ is to be funded.

Pharmac has confirmed funding for vedolizumab (known as Entyvio), from February 1, which is expected to benefit an estimated 500 Kiwis in the first year and nearly 1400 annually after five years.

It is among seven new medicines Pharmac announced funding for today, as it widens access to two more, in a move expected to benefit thousands.

Gastroenterologist and chair of Crohn’s and Colitis NZ Dr Richard Stein said Pharmac’s move to fund Entyvio and intention to fund Stelara (announced last month) took New Zealand ‘‘from being in the Middle Ages into the 21st century, in what we have to offer’’.

Crohn’s disease and colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affect more than 20,000 Kiwis. Symptoms include severe, urgent, bloody diarrhoea, bowel blockages, abdominal pain and perforated intestines. ‘‘Flares’’ are common, and involve emergency hospitalisation, and repeated surgeries to remove sections of bowel.

Auckland parents Ben and Tali Rose know how significant accessing an unfunded IBD drug can be: they tried all funded drugs available for 13-year-old daughter Becky, who has aggressive Crohn’s disease, to no avail.

Becky was recommended another unfunded biologic drug, ustekinumab (Stelara).

Her parents were faced with paying for it, or having Becky ‘‘essentially lose her stomach’’.

The Roses were ‘‘fortunate’’ to be able to pay thousands of dollars every two months but it has been difficult. ‘‘The expense changes things for the whole family.’’

But the medicine has worked and Becky is ‘‘really thriving’’.