21 March 2023
Ms Faulkner
Via email:
[FYI request #22091 email]
Tēnā koe Ms Faulkner
Request for information: Funding of ixekizumab
Thank you for your request dated 13 March 2023 under the Official Information Act 1982
(OIA) for information relating to funding of ixekizumab. You requested:
I am requesting information about the funding of ixekizumab (brand name
Taltz). Specifically, I would like to know if:
a) This medication is currently being considered for funding,
has been considered for funding in the past, or if there is any
indication it will be considered in the near future?
b) If the medication is being considered for funding, I would like
to know which autoimmune conditions it is being considered as
a treatment option for.
Ixekizumab is not currently approved for use in New Zealand by Medsafe, the medicines and
medical devices safety authority. It is important that medicines are approved by Medsafe to
ensure they are of required quality, safety, and efficacy. Any questions regarding the
medicine approval process are best directed to
Medsafe. We would welcome a funding application to consider including ixekizumab on the
Pharmaceutical Schedule
once approved by Medsafe. Please visit
our website for
information about this process and access to our online application system, PharmConnect.
You might be interested to know that a similar medicine, secukinumab is funded in New
Zealand for severe chronic plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.
We trust that this information answers your queries. Please get in touch with us if you have
any questions about this.
Please note, you have the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman about our response
to your OIA, under section 28(3) of the OIA. Details of
how to make a complaint are on the
Ombudsman’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Allanah Andrews
Manager, Policy and Government Services
2022-23-120; A1663271