Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa has campaigned to change medications available for use in Aotearoa New Zealand in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. In response to Pharmac announcing limited funding, Chairperson of the Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa, Dr John Baker expresses his opposition to patients and clinicians having to apply for ‘special authority’ to use any of three newer classes of medication. He is quoted in Scoop Health as saying
“It is unethical to withhold these medicines, now standard across the first world, and keep four out of five patients on a regimen that makes their lives unbearable or short.
“We understand the need to limit costs in the health budget, but this is like rationing instant coffee in the tearoom.
“I am extremely happy for those who will get access to the drugs – they are life-changing - but I’m extremely sad for the 200,000 who won’t, because their lives will remain deeply difficult"
