By CATHERINE MASTERS
The Government's decision to fund beta-interferon drugs for multiple sclerosis may have come too late for a Howick woman.
But Doreen Schofield welcomes the decision, saying it should help those with less advanced symptoms of the chronic disease of the nervous system.
Health Minister Annette King said yesterday that she had directed the Health Funding Authority to instruct drug-buying agency Pharmac to fund the drugs.
Sufferers of multiple sclerosis had been fighting for this for several years, she said.
"We made this pledge during the election campaign, and it was a decision supported by the health select committee, which heard compelling evidence the previous Government took little notice of.
"Multiple sclerosis is a disease with little or no treatment possible, and the Government wants to do what it can to help sufferers who can benefit from this treatment."
Doreen Schofield said her illness had probably deteriorated too much for her to benefit from the decision.
"I think it's for people who are not really bad, they're into remitting and they get natural remissions every now and then.
"I used to be like that when I was younger, but mine for the past 10 years it's been a very, very steady downward track, so I don't know whether I would be suitable for it."
She still hopes she may be eligible to try the treatment.
The minister said criteria for eligibility had been developed in consultation with specialists and the change should help up to 130 people.
Clinical trials had shown beta-interferon drugs could help reduce the number of relapses in some patients by about 30 per cent a year, and the rate of severe attacks by about 50 per cent.
Pharmac's general manager, Wayne McNee, said the agency had twice turned down funding for beta-interferon because the benefit for most patients was low, relative to the cost. "While beta-interferon is beneficial for some patients, it is difficult to find out exactly who is going to benefit before they try it.
"At $20,000 per patient per year, this drug is simply too expensive to subsidise for everyone with MS, when we know the majority will not benefit significantly."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Waitangi Tribunal turns, 50 but there’s no cause to celebrate - John Tamihere
The Waitangi Tribunal turns 50 - happy birthday to you.