Pharmac has agreed to subsidise the disease-modifying drug, ARAVA for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
"This is the best news we have heard for a long time," says chief executive of Arthritis New Zealand, Alasdair Finnie.
"What is really pleasing is the broad availability of the drug. Pain and crippling deformity are part of RA, so it will give heart to people all over New Zealand to know it is now available to help address their condition," he says.