- Hon David Seymour
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today welcomed a new Pharmac proposal to widen funded access to febuxostat for people with gout.
“Improving access to medicines in New Zealand is important to patients and their families. That’s why it has been a focus for this Government,” Mr Seymour says.
If approved, Pharmac will widen funded access to febuxostat from 1 February 2027. Pharmac is proposing to remove the need for people with gout to trial a medicine called probenecid before they are eligible for treatment with febuxostat, therefore enabling earlier access to febuxostat.
“Approximately 6% of adult New Zealanders are affected by gout and many are not able to manage their symptoms with diet and/or use of other medicines,” Mr Seymour says.
“Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid in the body. When uric acid levels become too high, urate crystals can form in and around the joints, leading to painful gout attacks that can cause sudden swelling, redness, and severe pain.
“Taking febuxostat can help prevent gout attacks and reduce the risk of long-term joint and kidney damage caused by ongoing crystal build-up.
“Currently, if people cannot control their gout symptoms on allopurinol they must trial another medicine, probenecid, before becoming eligible for funded febuxostat.
“If approved Pharmac will remove the requirement to trial probenecid. This would give patients and clinicians two options for second-line treatment: febuxostat or probenecid. For some people, febuxostat may be the preferred option because it only needs to be taken once a day and it can be easier to adjust the dose if needed.
“We’re making the system work better for the people it serves. When people can access their medicines easily, they stay healthier for longer. It also reduces pressure on other parts of the health system.”
Now Pharmac want to hear from you. Consultation opens on Wednesday 16 September 2027 and closes on 5pm, Wednesday 30 September 2027. Have your say here: https://consultations.pharmac.govt.nz/medicines/febuxostat
