Transplant boy 'at risk from cheap drugs'

The mother of a Hawera teenager whose body is rejecting a transplanted kidney says she is happy the drug agency Pharmac will review moving him on to cheaper anti-rejection drugs.

Callum Wagstaff had a transplant in 2003 and was on expensive anti-rejection drugs until late last year.

Callum's mother, Jacqui, told National Radio that Pharmac substituted cheaper medication after 12 months but her son's body was now rejecting its new kidney.

She said blood tests last month showed the kidney had nearly failed, and the only thing that had changed was the switch to the cheaper drug.

Callum's specialist told her anecdotal evidence backed her claim about the cheaper drug being the cause.

Pharmac chief executive Wayne McNee said Pharmac would look at problems patients had with cheaper medicines.

- NZPA