Pharmac announce funding of two long-acting contraceptives

Pharmac have announced the funding of two long-acting intrauterine contraceptives - but there aren't enough practitioners trained to insert or remove them. That's from Auckland GP Orna McGinn, who earlier this year presented a petition signed by 4 and a half thousand people to the health committee, calling on the drug funding agency to fund the Mirena IUS for all women. Up until now only women suffering heavy menstrual bleeding and low iron levels have been able to access the IUD for free. But, yesterday Pharmac announced the Mirena - as well as the purely contraceptive IUD Jaydess - will be funded from 1st November for all women. Dr McGinn told First Up's Lydia Batham she welcomes the announcement - but there are more hurdles to cross before contraceptive access in New Zealand matches that of other comparable health systems.