New Zealand's drug buying agency Pharmac has announced it will fund the life-changing cystic fibrosis (CF) drug, Trikafta, starting from April 1, 2023.
The decision to fund the drug has been the result of years of campaigning and advocacy by health experts, patients and their families.
Despite evidence pointing towards the benefits of funding the drug, previous efforts to secure its funding had come to nothing.
However, this announcement marks a significant victory for the advocates and campaigners who have worked tirelessly to make it happen.
In early December 2022 Today FM revealed Pharmac was considering funding the drug, and on Tuesday the decision had been officially confirmed.
Shannon O'Connor, whose six-year-old son is eligible to receive Trikafta, spoke to Lloyd Burr about what impact CF has on their family.
"We've spent a lot of our time in admissions, we come out of theatre, we go back into theatre within 24 hours, we consistently live with PICC lines, having to do IVs at home," O'Connor said.
"I haven't been able to work, we have been doing up to 4 to 5 hours of treatment a day, that's outside of his IVs and his medicines. It's been pretty hard."
Burr asked O'Connor what the next steps are now Trikafta is funded.
"My understanding is our amazing Doctor from up at Waikato has pretty much sorted a lot of the paperwork.
"We've just got to go through some sweat tests and what other testing to properly submit on our end and hopefully in the first week or so we'll be able to have that lucky box in our hands."
Listen to the full interview between Shannon O'Connor and Lloyd Burr above.
You can also download the full interview on the Lloyd Burr Live podcast, and listen on the go.
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