Rules change for prescribing of osteoporosis drug

3.00pm

Access to a drug to treat the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis has been widened.

From July 1, patients will be able to have the drug etidronate prescribed by their doctor rather than having to go through a specialist, as is the case at present, government drug buying agency Pharmac announced today.

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie said in a statement that about 17,000 women were currently prescribed etidronate, and that was expected to increase by about 10 per cent with easier access to the drug.

- NZPA