Lisa Burns: Cystic Fibrosis NZ CEO calls for Govt intervention on Pharmac treatment funding

Published: Aug. 15, 2022, 9:45 p.m.

It's being argued that public funding for a lifesaving Cystic Fibrosis drug would save sufferers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Patients, Pharmac and the Government are stuck in a feedback loop on the breakthrough drug Trikafta, with Pharmac saying funding is a must but it needs more money.

Currently, Cystic Fibrosis patients are spending upwards of $300,000 to self-fund Trikafta.

Cystic Fibrosis NZ's Chief Executive Lisa Burns told Mike Hosking she'd like to see the Government intervene.

\u201cIf the Government can find nearly a billion dollars for fuel taxes, why can\u2019t they find nearly $60 million to fund this drug?\u201d

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