Decision pending on diabetes medications
Should new medicines to treat type 2 diabetes be funded?
Should more than 50,000 people receive funding for the drugs?
Government drug-funding agency Pharmac is expected to decide next week whether it will fund two new medicines to treat type 2 diabetes.
Botany resident Graham King and thousands of other people who suffer from the condition hope the decision will fall in their favour.
King (pictured) pays $100 a month for Dapagliflozin, which is used to treat the condition.
Despite the cost, he said it helps control his diabetes and has cut the amount of insulin he has to take.
He said he doesn't think people should endure what he has had to to get modern medicines, like Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin and Dulaglutide, to treat the condition.
"I'm just lucky I can afford $100 a month."
Figures released by the Ministry of Health last year showed there were 45,266 people registered in the Counties Manukau area with type 2 diabetes in 2019.
Pharmac chief executive Sarah Fitt said that next week its board will look at funding both Empagliflozin and Dulaglutide for 50,000 New Zealanders with type two diabetes who have a high risk of complications such as heart and kidney disease.
"Clinical experts told us that there is evidence for significant benefit from these two medicines in people with established or at high risk of cardiovascular and/or renal disease," she said.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84.4% Yes
-
14.3% No
-
1.3% Other - I'll share below
Got a Minute? Prove You’re the Smartest Neighbour!
What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
Loading…
