Pharmac is seeking consultation on funding letermovir, an antiviral drug that prevents cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, with coverage potentially beginning 1 May 2026 if approved.
“For people recovering from a stem cell transplant, infections like CMV can mean long hospital stays and intensive treatment,” Pharmac’s Manager of Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels, said.
“Preventing infection in the first place can help people avoid these outcomes.”
Under the proposal, letermovir would be funded for stem cell transplant recipients plus a small group of severely immunosuppressed patients unable to use other funded antivirals.
The medicine would be accessible in hospitals and community pharmacies.
“We’ve heard from clinicians and our clinical advisors that preventing CMV can make a real difference,” Pouwels explained.
“Letermovir works by helping prevent CMV from becoming active, rather than waiting until someone becomes unwell and needs more intensive treatment.”
“Preventing CMV infection could reduce the need for lengthy hospital stays, helping people get home sooner and spend more time with their whānau.”
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s proposal.
“Improving access to medicines in New Zealand is important to patients and their families. That’s why it has been a focus of this government,” Seymour said.
“Clinicians involved in stem cell transplants and Pharmac’s clinical advisors told Pharmac that letermovir will help people with very weak immune systems, particularly when it’s used early after a stem cell transplant.”
“Stem cell transplants are only carried out in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Many people must travel and stay away from home for long periods while their immune systems recover. Preventing a serious infection following a stem cell treatment could reduce hospital stays, take pressure off the health system, and could return patients who might have otherwise experienced complications home to their families faster.”
Brown said enhancing cancer treatment and outcomes for New Zealanders is a top government priority.
“Today’s announcement builds on last year’s funding boost to expand stem cell transplant services for patients with blood cancers and related conditions, enabling more people to access this critical, life-saving treatment sooner. Too many Kiwis have experienced distressing delays for these procedures, which is why boosting transplant capacity and reducing wait times is so important.”
Pharmac seeks feedback on the proposal from affected groups, including stem cell transplant patients (past or upcoming), those with severe immunosuppression, their families and carers, health professionals, and advocacy organisations.
The consultation period runs from 11am Thursday, 5 March, to 5pm Thursday, 19 March.