There is important news for people in New Zealand with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and their whānau, families, caregivers and partners. From 1 September 2026, thousands more New Zealanders living with type 2 diabetes will be able to access several funded diabetes medicines based on clinical needs.
More New Zealanders with T2DM may qualify for access to funded empagliflozin (Jardiance), empagliflozin with metformin (Jardiamet), dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza).
The criteria will be amended to make these medicines available to all people living with T2DM who are unable to reduce their blood sugar levels (HbA1c) below 53mmol/mol using other funded diabetes medicines.
This removes clinical criteria related to cardiovascular risk or existing diabetic-related kidney disease, and ethnicity-based criteria.
There are 145,000 people currently using these T2DM medicines.
This decision means that people with T2DM whose blood sugar levels remain high despite treatment with other funded medicines would have access to these medicines.
The changes to criteria are expected to benefit approximately 14,000 additional people during the first year and increase to around 31,000 people after five years. Everyone who can currently access these medicines will still be covered under the revised criteria.
This does not mean these medicines will be suitable or funded for every person with type 2 diabetes. A doctor or other authorised prescriber will still need to assess your health, current treatment and recent HbA1c results.
Patients would still need to start treatment on empagliflozin or empagliflozin with metformin before accessing funded liraglutide or dulaglutide (where clinically appropriate).
The Special Authority criteria changes apply to four treatments: empagliflozin (Jardiance), empagliflozin with metformin (Jardiamet), dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza).
Empagliflozin lowers blood glucose by helping the kidneys remove more glucose from the body through urine along with excess fluid and salt. Empagliflozin is used for type 2 diabetes and also provides heart and kidney benefits.
Jardiamet contains two active medicines in one tablet, the two medicines lower blood glucose in different ways:
It may be considered when treatment with both empagliflozin and metformin is appropriate. It also protects your kidney and heart.
Dulaglutide belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It is administered as a once-weekly injection.
It helps the body release insulin when blood glucose is elevated, slows down food absorption, reduces appetite, and can improve glucose control. This is why people on dulaglutide usually lose weight.
It may also reduce cardiovascular risk in some people with type 2 diabetes.
Liraglutide is another GLP-1 receptor agonist. Unlike dulaglutide, it is generally injected once a day.
It helps lower blood glucose when levels are too high and slows the movement of food through the stomach, it also reduces your appetite and how quickly food is absorbed.
Some people using liraglutide may also lose weight.
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term which over time can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs. It can increase the risk of problems such as:
Effective treatment helps lower blood glucose and reduce the risk of complications. Some of the medicines included in this decision can also provide additional heart or kidney benefits for certain patients.
Around 145,000 New Zealanders are already using these affected medicines. PHARMAC estimates that approximately 14,000 more people will become eligible during the first 12 months, rising to around 31,000 additional patients after five years.
Further Reading:
Our service is designed to make managing multiple medicines easy. Our Monthly Medicines Service is free to eligible patients taking three or more regular medicines.
