Media release: Roche welcomes Pharmac's consultation on proposed funding of four treatments for people living with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and eye disease
:quality(90)/)
Published 24 September 2025
Media release
AUCKLAND Wednesday, 24 September 2025 - Roche Products (New Zealand) Ltd today welcomed Pharmac’s decision to consult on proposed funding of four treatments that could transform care for thousands of New Zealanders living with serious health conditions.
If approved, these medicines would offer new and more convenient options for people living with cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), and eye disease. The provisional agreement covers access to:
● PHESGO®(pertuzumab and trastuzumab) – extends the lives of some people with HER2-positive breast cancer, combining two medicines, pertuzumab and trastuzumab, delivered via a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. This provides patients with a significant reduction in treatment time per cycle compared to the current intravenous (IV) infusion delivery. If funded, it will be the first time a subcutaneous version of an intravenous cancer treatment will be publicly reimbursed in New Zealand
● OCREVUS® SC(ocrelizumab) – a subcutaneous treatment for some people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), delivered by six-monthly injections. It reduces treatment time substantially, enabling better use of health system resources and significantly benefiting people living with MS
● VABYSMO®(faricimab) - preserves vision for some people with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), the leading cause of sight loss for New Zealanders over 50 years old, and diabetic macular oedema (DMO). This dual-action treatment, administered via an injection into the eye, has the potential to extend the treatment interval up to four months compared to the more frequent one-to-two monthly injections that many patients currently face
● ROZLYTREK®(entrectinib) – a targeted treatment for some adults with ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a rare and aggressive cancer most often affecting non-smokers. This treatment is delivered orally outside of the hospital environment and will provide a much-needed treatment option for these patients
Transforming care for patients
Dr Kerryn Symons, Country Medical Director for Roche New Zealand says these medicines are not just about better health outcomes – they also give people back precious time and independence.
“This is a really positive step for patients and their whānau. Funding these four treatments would free up much-needed capacity in hospitals and clinics, helping doctors and nurses to care for people and support them on their treatment journeys."
Strengthening the health system
Alongside patient benefits, these treatments will deliver broader system gains, including cutting waiting times, releasing clinical capacity, and improving equity of access. As one example, a report released today by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research values the substantial benefits OCREVUS® SC will provide for people living with MS, their whānau, and the health system at close to $2m per year.1
Together, the medicines proposed to be funded as part of this agreement would directly support three of the Government’s Health Targets: faster access to cancer treatment; quicker access to first specialist appointments; and shorter elective surgery waiting times. Importantly, they would be expected to achieve this at no additional cost to the country’s current health budget - proof that better outcomes do not need to come at a higher price.
“This milestone shows our ongoing commitment to a healthier, stronger country. For more than 50 years, Roche has been proud to be part of New Zealand’s health story, with investment in research and clinical trials that continue to deliver benefits for patients and their whānau,” Dr Symons says.
Roche encourages patients, families, and clinicians to share their views in the consultation process outlined on Pharmac's website.
ENDS
Media contact
For more information, or to interview Dr Kerryn Symons, please contact:
Brooklyn Wheeler, Anthem
027 346 0935
1NZIER. 2025. Ocrevus Subcutaneous: Valuing the benefits to people living with MS, whānau caregivers, and the health system. A report for Roche NZ. Available here.
PHESGO® Consumer Panel
Phesgo® (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) 600 mg/600 mg and 1200 mg/600 mg solution for subcutaneous injection is a Prescription Medicine used for early breast cancer, either before or after surgery and for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
PHESGO® has risks and benefits. Possible less serious side effects include: constipation, indigestion or stomach pain, sore mouth, throat or gut, fatigue or tiredness, getting tired more easily after light physical activity such as walking, shortness of breath especially when lying down or being woken from your sleep with shortness of breath, nail problems especially inflammation where the nail meets the skin, hair loss, feeling dizzy, tired, looking pale, hot flushes, frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers, nose bleeds, heartburn, eye problems such as producing more tears, insomnia (trouble sleeping), weak, numb, tingling, prickling or painful sensations mainly affecting the feet and legs, dry, itchy or acne like skin, loss of appetite, loss of or altered taste, joint or muscle pain, muscle weakness, sore throat, red, sore or runny nose, flu-like symptoms, and fever which may lead to infection of the ear, nose, or throat, pain at the injection site, reddened skin (erythema) and bruising at the injection site, general pain in the body, arms, legs and/or belly including sharp jabbing, throbbing, freezing or burning pain, feeling pain from something which should not be painful, such as a light touch, reduced ability to feel changes in temperature, loss of balance or coordination.
Do not use Phesgo® if: you are pregnant or if you are allergic to pertuzumab, trastuzumab, or any of the ingredients in Phesgo®.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms: allergic or anaphylactic reactions: including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing, or swelling of other parts of your body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing, rash, itching or hives on the skin, feeling sick (nausea), fever or chills, headache or feeling tired; injection related reactions: these may be mild or more severe and may include feeling sick or vomiting, fever, chills, feeling tired, headache, loss of appetite, joint and muscle pains and hot flushes; heart problems: slower or faster heartbeat than usual, fluttering of the heart, abnormal or irregular heartbeat, cough, shortness of breath, swelling (fluid retention) in your legs or arms; tumour lysis syndrome (where cancer cells die quickly): kidney problems - signs include weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue and confusion, heart problems - signs include fluttering of the heart or a faster or slower heartbeat, seizures (fits), vomiting or diarrhoea and tingling in the mouth, hands or feet; severe chest pain: spreading out to the arms, neck, shoulder or back and diarrhoea: may be mild or moderate
Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, PHESGO® may be harmful to an unborn baby. If there is a need for PHESGO® treatment when you are pregnant, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits to you and the unborn baby. You should use effective contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while you are being treated with PHESGO® and for 7 months after stopping treatment.
If you become pregnant while receiving PHESGO®, or within 7 months following the last dose of PHESGO®, please contact your oncologist for medical advice. Report the pregnancy to Roche Patient Safety at [email protected] or 0800 276 243.
Additional information will be requested during a PHESGO®-exposed pregnancy and the first year of the infant’s life. This will enable Roche to better understand the safety of PHESGO® and to provide appropriate information to health authorities, healthcare providers, and patients.
For additional information, please refer to the PHESGO® Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz
OCREVUS® Consumer Panel
OCREVUS® IV (ocrelizumab) 300mg vial, and OCREVUS® SC (ocrelizumab 920 mg/23 mL solution for subcutaneous injection) are Prescription Medicines used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Ask your doctor if Ocrevus® is right for you.
Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Ocrevus®:
● Talk to your health professional; or
● Visit medsafe.govt.nz for Ocrevus Consumer Medicine Information; or
● Visit getonwithlife.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.
OCREVUS® has risks and benefits.
Possible common side effects include: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing; swelling of other parts of your body; shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing; skin problems including rash, itchiness or hives; feeling sick (nausea); fever, flushing or chills; cough, throat irritation or pain; feeling tired; headache; dizziness or light headedness; fast heartbeat.
Do not use OCREVUS® if: you have had an allergic reaction to OCREVUS® or any of the ingredients.
Tell your doctor if: you have an infection, or a history of a recurring or long-term infection such as hepatitis B; you are taking or have previously taken medicines which may affect your immune system, such as other medicines for MS you or your child intend to have or have had immunisation with any vaccine; you are allergic to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes; you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant; you are breast feeding or plan to breast feed; if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you have bought without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop; you notice any signs of an infection such as fever or chills, cold sore, shingles or genital sores; stuffy nose or chest; thick mucus in the nose, throat or chest; persistent cough; difficulty sleeping (insomnia); diarrhoea, vomiting and/or stomach cramps (gastroenteritis); skin infections, sinus infections.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing; swelling of other parts of your body; shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing; local reaction at the injection site (OCREVUS® SC only), skin problems including rash, itchiness or hives; feeling sick (nausea); fever, flushing or chills; cough, throat irritation or pain; feeling tired; headache; dizziness or light headedness; fast heartbeat.
VABYSMO® Consumer Panel
VABYSMO® (faricimab) 120 mg/mL solution for injection for intravitreal use is a Prescription Medicine for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Ask your doctor if VABYSMO® is right for you.
Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about VABYSMO®:
● Talk to your health professional; or
● Visit medsafe.govt.nz for VABYSMO® Consumer Medicine Information; or
● Visit roche.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.
VABYSMO® has risks and benefits.
Possible common side effects include: eye pain, burning, stinging, itching, redness, gritty or scratchy feeling; blurred, cloudy or decreased sharpness of vision or yellowing of colours; increased production of tears or watering eyes or eye discharge; a sensation that something is in your eye; moving spots (floaters) or shadows in your vision; small or distorted pupil.
Do not use VABYSMO® if: you are allergic to faricimab. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine; if you have or suspect you have an infection in or around your eye; if you have inflammation in or around your eye (may be indicated by pain and/or redness).
Tell your doctor if you: experience any problems during the treatment.
You may not see as well after you are given VABYSMO® and after the associated eye examinations. This is temporary. Do not drive or use machines until your eyesight has returned to normal.
VABYSMO® should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to your unborn child.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: sudden vision loss or change in vision; signs of a possible eye infection or inflammation, such as worsening redness of the eye or blood in and around the eye, eye pain, increased eye discomfort, blurred or decreased vision, an increased number of floaters (small particles) in your vision, increased sensitivity to light; you experience signs of a stroke, such as weakness or paralysis of limbs or face or difficulty speaking.
Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional.
ROZLYTREK® Consumer Panel
ROZLYTREK® (entrectinib) 100mg/200mg capsules, is a Prescription Medicine used for the treatment of adult patients with ROS1-positive, locally advanced or metastatic (spreading) Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and the treatment of adult and paediatric patients 12 years of age and older, with neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion-positive locally advanced or metastatic solid tumours, where other treatments have not worked or are not suitable for you.
Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about ROZLYTREK®:
● Talk to your health professional; or
● Visit medsafe.govt.nz for ROZLYTREK® Consumer Medicine Information; or
● Visit cancertreatments.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.
ROZLYTREK® has risks and benefits.
Possible common side effects include: feeling tired, pain including headache or head pain or joint or muscle pain or pain or discomfort in limbs or bones, fever, constipation, diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) or stomach pain, difficulty in swallowing, changes in taste, an abnormal or unpleasant sense of touch, numbness or weakness of the arms and legs, loss of muscle coordination or being unsteady when walking, symptoms of anaemia such as tiredness/headaches/being short of breath when exercising/dizziness/looking pale, weight gain, loss of appetite, dehydration, muscle weakness, bone fractures, lung infection, urinary tract infection, blurred vision, rash, swelling or puffiness of the skin, disturbances in your sleep pattern, red, hot, stiff or swollen joints.
Do not use ROZLYTREK® if: you are allergic to entrectinib or any of the other ingredients in this medicine, or if you or your partner are pregnant or you are breastfeeding. Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Tell your doctor if: you have allergies to any other medicines/foods/preservatives/dyes, you have heart problems such as a condition called ‘prolonged QT interval’ or a condition called 'congestive heart failure’ or ‘heart failure’, you have an inherited problem called ‘galactose intolerance’, ‘congenital lactase deficiency’ or ‘glucose-galactose malabsorption’, liver or kidney problems, or if you are planning a pregnancy or plan to breastfeed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: signs of heart problems (heart failure) such as persistent coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling in your legs or arms (fluid retention); feeling dizzy or light-headed as this may be a sign of an abnormal heart rhythm or low blood pressure; feeling confused, changes in mood, having memory problems or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations); loss of consciousness or fainting; symptoms of a condition called tumour lysis syndrome, including nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps or twitches, decreased urination, irritability, sudden uncontrolled fits (seizures).
M-NZ-00001448/MR1244/SEP2025