PHARMAC to fund alternative treatments for asthma, scabies

PHARMAC to fund alternative treatments for asthma, scabies

PHARMAC is to fund a treatment for pre-schoolers with recurrent wheezing despite using other therapies, and for people with exercise-induced asthma.

As part of the agreement with Merck Sharp & Dohme, PHARMAC is also funding an alternative treatment for people with severe cases of scabies.

Montelukast, for asthma, and ivermectin, for scabies, will both be funded from 1 August 2012.

Montelukast is a pill that treats respiratory conditions like asthma. PHARMAC will fund montelukast for children under five for recurrent wheezing. It will also be funded for people of all ages with exercise-induced asthma and, for a smaller group, those people undergoing aspirin desensitisation programmes.

PHARMAC medical director Dr Peter Moodie says many children suffer from wheezing which is often caused by respiratory tract infections.

“These can be frequent and distressing for children and parents, and these children are often admitted to hospital,” says Dr Moodie. “Inhalers will continue to be the standard treatment for the majority of children, however for those who still can’t get relief they will be able to have funded montelukast.”

“We would expect to see the number of children admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties to reduce as a result of this decision.”

PHARMAC estimates that up to 7500 children each year will be treated with montelukast.

The other major patient group to receive montelukast will be people suffering from asthma brought on by exercise. These people will continue to largely be treated with asthma inhalers, however if these are not effective then people will be able to receive funded montelukast.

Dr Moodie says PHARMAC expects up to 2000 people with exercise-induced asthma will receive funded montelukast each year.

Overall, PHARMAC expects to spend $2.3 million on montelukast over five years.

Ivermectin will be an additional treatment to those that are currently available for scabies, a skin infestation that can be a particular problem in rest homes. It will be funded for people who have difficulty with the current treatments which are mainly topical creams. Ivermectin is a pill that is taken as two doses a week apart.

PHARMAC estimates that about 10,000 patients each year will receive funded ivermectin for these indications at a cost of $1.4 million over five years.

ENDS

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