Dr Kerryn Symons Welcomes Pharmac's Decision To Fund Medicines For Multiple Sclerosis, Breast Cancer And Lung Cancer

AUCKLAND Wednesday, 12 November 2025 - Roche New Zealand welcomes today’s decision by Pharmac to fund OCREVUS® SC, PHESGO®, ROZLYTREK®, and VABYSMO® for some people living with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and eye disease.

Dr Kerryn Symons, Country Medical Director for Roche New Zealand, said:

“The decision to fund these treatments is an important step forward for patients and their whānau. We’re especially proud that this marks the first time a subcutaneous version of an intravenous cancer treatment will be publicly funded in New Zealand, alongside a subcutaneous version of a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Both innovations show how subcutaneous treatments can transform care by reducing treatment times and making it easier for people to fit their care around daily life. These treatments will provide more timely and convenient options for people living with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and eye disease. For many, that means less time in waiting rooms and treatment chairs, and more time with loved ones doing the things that matter most.

This decision will also ease pressure on our health system by freeing up valuable hospital and clinic capacity, allowing doctors and nurses to spend more time caring for people and supporting them on their treatment journeys.

I warmly congratulate Pharmac for funding these medicines. This milestone represents significant progress in improving access for New Zealanders, while also supporting the health system for the benefit of communities across Aotearoa.”

About Roche

For more than 120 years, Roche has been committed to improving lives. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. We have one purpose: to do now what patients need next.

We have had a presence in New Zealand since 1973 and operate across two key businesses, Roche Pharmaceuticals and Roche Diagnostics. The ultimate aim of our almost 100 employees across the country is to enable New Zealand patients to gain access to our medicines and diagnostic tests in order to detect illnesses early, and to treat them with life-saving medicines.

New Zealand plays an important role in the global research and development (R&D) network for Roche. Over the past five years, Roche has invested over NZD $30 million in local research and development, providing more than 1,200 New Zealanders with access to advanced treatments through clinical trials across a range of disease areas. No matter which part of the business we work in, our team understands that life-changing discoveries will only matter if the right medicines get to the right patients.

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