A proposal to fund lifechanging cystic fibrosis medicines for children of all ages has been opened for public consultation by Pharmac.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour said the agency was seeking feedback on a plan to fund Trikafta and a new treatment Alyftrek for children with cystic fibrosis regardless of age, along with continued funding for Kalydeco for everyone with an eligible diagnosis.

If supported through consultation, the proposal would take effect from 1 April 2026.

Under the proposal, Trikafta would be funded for children of all ages, expanding current access which is limited to those aged 6 years and over. Alyftrek would also become available as a newly funded treatment, with doctors able to use their clinical judgement to prescribe either medicine to patients who would benefit.

Seymour said Pharmac was now consulting the public and early feedback from the cystic fibrosis community had been strongly supportive.

“These treatments are lifechanging for Kiwis living with cystic fibrosis and their families,” Seymour said. “If approved, this proposal would give children access to these lifechanging treatments as soon as clinically appropriate.”

He said cystic fibrosis could cause harm very early in life and waiting to meet age based eligibility criteria was not an option for many families.

In 2023, Pharmac funded Trikafta for children aged 6 years and over, leaving younger children without funded access. Seymour said this forced some parents to make difficult choices, including waiting years for treatment, paying hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for private access, or moving overseas.

He said the proposal reflected closer collaboration between Pharmac and the cystic fibrosis community and showed what could be achieved when patients were involved in decision making.

Seymour said improving access to medicines helped people stay healthier for longer and reduced pressure on other parts of the health system.

Pharmac is seeking feedback from people with cystic fibrosis, their families, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, and others with an interest in the proposal.