Media release: Newly funded medicines deliver enhanced care for patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and degenerative eye disease
:quality(90)/)
Published 1 December 2025
Media release
AUCKLAND Monday 1 December 2025 - Roche Products (New Zealand) Ltd (Roche) welcomes public funding, starting today, of four new medicines under certain criteria. 31,000 New Zealanders living with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and degenerative eye disease will now have faster access to innovative, life-changing treatments1.
The public funding of PHESGO®, OCREVUS® SC, VABYSMO®, and ROZLYTREK® marks a major step forward in improving health outcomes and creating a more efficient, resilient health system. Together, these medicines will transform care for thousands of people by reducing treatment times, expanding choice, and freeing up critical hospital capacity.
Faster, more convenient cancer care
PHESGO® (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) is a life-extending treatment for people with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. By combining two medicines, pertuzumab and trastuzumab, delivered via a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection, PHESGO® reduces treatment time from hours to just minutes. This has the potential to provide patients with an 83% reduction in treatment time per cycle compared to current intravenous (IV) infusion delivery2. It is the first time a subcutaneous alternative to an intravenous cancer treatment has been publicly funded in New Zealand – a major step forward in making care faster and less disruptive for patients.
Greater independence for people with multiple sclerosis
OCREVUS® SC (ocrelizumab) is a subcutaneous treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), administered as a six-monthly injection. It delivers a 98% reduction in treatment time versus IV infusion, giving people greater independence and easing pressure on hospital infusion suites3. The benefits to the health system are significant. The staffing required to support one intravenously-treated (IV) patient could provide OCREVUS® SC to three people, and the same bed capacity could be used to treat nine4. Altogether, OCREVUS SC could generate up to $2 million per year in benefits for the health system, people living with Multiple Sclerosis, and their whānau4.
Protecting sight and relieving pressure on eye clinics
VABYSMO® (faricimab) preserves vision for some people with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DMO). AMD is the leading cause of sight loss for New Zealanders over 505. Its dual-action design, delivered via injection into the eye, means many patients can extend time between injections to up to four months, compared with the one- or two-monthly injections currently required. Over five years, the use of VABYSMO® could result in 50,000 fewer intravitreal injections delivered compared to the current standard of care6. By releasing valuable clinic resources and enabling timely access to treatment, the introduction of VABYSMO® means ophthalmology clinics around New Zealand are better equipped to meet the growing demand for their services, and at the same time deliver better vision outcomes for their patients at a reduced overall cost7.
Expanding options for people with rare lung cancer
ROZLYTREK® (entrectinib) offers a new, targeted option for some adults with ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a rare and aggressive cancer that often affects younger, non-smokers. As an oral capsule, ROZLYTREK® can be taken at home, giving people greater flexibility and quality of life during treatment.
Transforming care for patients and strengthening the health system
Dr Kerryn Symons, Country Medical Director for Roche New Zealand, said the public funding of these medicines represents a turning point in treatment for thousands of patients.
“These treatments fundamentally change lives. They offer people back their time, independence, and dignity. Starting today, patients across New Zealand will have access to therapies that fit better into their lives and allow them to spend more time with their whānau.”
“The impact of these publicly funded medicines is huge. Treatment delivery via new subcutaneous injections is significantly quicker to administer than current IV treatments, saving an estimated 7,500 hospital infusion hours in year one, rising to 12,800 by year five8. Freeing up health professionals time through exploring the funding of innovative and new treatment methods is something we have been encouraging Pharmac to consider.”
“We commend Pharmac for this critical funding decision. As patient groups have clearly stated, this is life-changing for so many people and whanāu. It’s a milestone for access that shows what can be achieved when patients, clinicians, and communities are heard. This shared success is key to building a healthier, stronger Aotearoa”
Supporting quotes from spokespeople
PHESGO®
Ah-Leen Rayner, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ:
“Pertuzumab and trastuzumab are important medicines to treat advanced HER2-positive breast cancer and combining the two into a single injection will make a real difference for New Zealanders. The ability to have a quick injection removes the need to spend hours having an IV infusion, making treatment much less disruptive to patients’ daily lives. This will help our hospitals too, easing pressure on chemotherapy units and freeing up staff time.
“International research shows Phesgo is also effective for people with early HER2-positive breast cancer, both before and after surgery. Experts around the world recommend using Phesgo at these stages to help improve long-term recovery and survival, so we’d urge Pharmac to widen access to this group so more Kiwis can benefit.”
Libby Burgess MNZM, Chair of the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition:
“This is fantastic news for people with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. A quick five-minute injection instead of two lengthy infusions will make treatment faster, easier, and far less disruptive to daily life. It’s a real quality-of-life improvement for patients and their families.”
“We also hope Phesgo will soon be available in community clinics so people can receive treatment closer to home. That would make care more accessible for those living further from cancer centres and bring New Zealand in line with international best practice.”
OCREVUS® SC
Amanda Rose, National Manager of Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ):
“Multiple Sclerosis NZ and the wider MS community warmly welcome this landmark decision, bringing renewed hope to the lives of those affected by MS. We hope this decision is the first of many in improving patient experiences, access to treatments and system improvements. The availability of six-monthly subcutaneous injections marks a major shift from time-consuming hospital infusions and disruptions to work, family and daily commitments. It will restore independence and allow people to get on with their lives. Importantly, it also helps overcome long-standing barriers to access and inequity, ensuring treatment decisions are guided by clinical need, not logistics.
MS treatments are life changing, but we acknowledge they use significant resources. We’re pleased to play a part in reducing demands on infusion centres, opening access for New Zealanders with other infusion treatment needs to get the life-saving medicines so desperately needed.
Multiple Sclerosis NZ has long championed access to therapies that make life easier for people with MS. We remain committed to ensuring every New Zealander living with MS can benefit from advances like this and continue to thrive.”
References:
1 Roche data on file
2 Roche data on file
3 Roche data on file
4 NZIER. 2025. Ocrevus Subcutaneous: Valuing the benefits to people living with MS, whānau caregivers, and the health system. A report for Roche NZ
5 Deloitte Access Economics. Socioeconomic cost of macular degeneration in New Zealand Economics Social Economic cost of wAMD in NZ. 17 October 2016.
6 Roche Data on File
7 Li et al. Ophthalmology and Therapy (2024)
8 Pharmac Consultation Media Release (24 Sept 2024)
ENDS
Media contact
For more information, or to interview Dr Kerryn Symons, please contact:
Brooklyn Wheeler, Anthem
[email protected] - 027 346 0935
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.
Ask your doctor if Phesgo is right for you.
Phesgo is a funded medicine for metastatic breast cancer for patients who meet defined criteria from 1 December 2025. A prescription charge and doctor’s fees apply.
Phesgo is an unfunded medicine for neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.
Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Phesgo:
talk to your health professional; or
visit medsafe.govt.nz for Phesgo Consumer Medicine Information; or
visit cancertreatments.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.
Phesgo has risks and benefits.
Possible common 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 if: you have a history of heart problems such as heart failure, abnormal beating of the heart, poorly controlled blood pressure or have had a recent heart attack, you have previously been treated with chemotherapy medicines known as anthracyclines (e.g. doxorubicin) or radiation therapy (these medicines or treatment can damage heart muscle and increase the risk of heart problems with Phesgo), you take any medicines for any other condition, you are allergic to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
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.
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.
Ocrevus IV is a funded medicine when given as an infusion into the vein, for patients who meet defined criteria.
Ocrevus SC is a funded medicine when given as an injection under the skin, for patients who meet defined criteria from 1 December 2025.
Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.
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.
From 1 December 2025 VABYSMO is funded for nAMD and DMO for patients who meet predefined criteria.
VABYSMO is not funded for RVO.
Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.
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.
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.
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.
Rozlytrek is a funded medicine for ROS1+ NSCLC for patients who meet defined criteria. A prescription charge and doctor’s fees apply.
Rozlytrek is an unfunded medicine for NTRK solid tumours. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.
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-00001506/NOV2025