Full funding for cardiac drugs announced

People wanting to reduce their chances of suffering from heart attack or stroke are to have two more fully-funded treatments available.

Government drug-funder Pharmac has announced that a new supply agreement will see amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, gain full funding from December 1.

And in a separate decision, Pharmac has agreed to fully fund low-dose aspirin as a treatment to help prevent heart attack and stroke from March 1, 2006.

"Felodipine is already fully funded and it is likely that most people will continue to be prescribed felodipine if their blood pressure is controlled using it," said Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie.

"It is pleasing to be able to provide open access to amlodipine as another fully funded treatment option."

About 4000 patients already receive subsidised amlodipine and this is likely to grow under the new funding regime.

Dr Moodie said the decision to subsidise low-dose aspirin involved spending of more than $17 million over five years.

This reflected the large number of patients who took it daily, he said.

- NZPA