Haemophiliac's bill $2.1m in 21 months

Canterbury's most expensive patient, a haemophiliac, has cost $2.1 million in just 21 months - prompting renewed calls for a debate on how health dollars are spent.

Haemophilia treatment is uncapped, often costing more than $100,000 a year, and it is lifelong. Arthritis patients have been denied drugs costing about $25,000 a year.

Otago University Medical School haematologist Dr Jim Faed said the pressure on health budgets due to haemophilia was reaching "crisis point", with other patients at risk of losing out.