This letter is to issue a Ministerial Direction, under section 25 of the Health and Disability Services Act 1993, to the Health Funding Authority to fund the beta interferons for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Following consideration of your letter of 17 December 1999, I am satisfied that I have sufficiently consulted the HFA on this issue.
I accept the advice offered and hereby issue the following direction.
Under section 25 of the Health and Disability Services Act 1993, I direct the Health Funding Authority to fund the beta interferons.
This direction requires the funding of the beta interferons to be based on the targeting criteria set out in the PHARMAC briefing dated Friday, 10 December 1999.
Dated at Wellington this 17th day of December 1999.
ANNETTE KING, Minister of Health.