Rinvoq Update

Over the past 16 years I have seen the effects of eczema – on individuals, on families and on our communities.  Without access to safe, long-term treatments for eczema, it has been difficult to find hope in the dark times.  6 years ago, we decided enough was enough, and we began exploring the process of information gathering – finding out the ‘how’ and the ‘what’ is involved with getting drugs approved and funded here in New Zealand. 

The EANZ began working with AbbVie just over two years ago and having them on board with us was a game changer.  They were able to support us through their resources, information and skills in ways that we could not achieve on our own.  Throughout this process, we were able to gain traction and came up with a strategy plan to get people to pay attention to this issue. It was then that we realised that because we had no data – there was no way to prove that there was a need for long term treatments for eczema.  The decision was made – we had to find a way to source the information that we needed.  With AbbVie’s help, we put together a survey. This survey would be the foundation of it all.  It was a New Zealand first. We were able to gain understanding around the impact of eczema on people’s daily lives, on their mental health, on their families and what it would mean to them to have a drug that was approved and funded for the long-term treatment of eczema. Once the data was collated, we were able to proceed with the next steps. A Roundtable meeting.  This meeting was another New Zealand first.

On 25 June 2024, the EANZ and AbbVie hosted the Expert Roundtable on Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) in Wellington. This event brought together patient advocates, clinicians, pharmaceutical, government and public health experts, to discuss barriers and inequities that people living with eczema face when accessing care and treatment, and to provide recommendations on ways to resolve them. It sought to review eczema evidence and develop actionable solutions for better care and support for eczema patients.

The conversations that were had at this meeting were thorough and thought provoking, and led to productive conversations extending beyond the meeting. During this meeting, the survey results were shared, along with previous research that enhanced our message – we need new long-term drugs for eczema.

Minister of Health, Dr Shane Reti and EANZ's own Vanessa Jenkins.

After the Roundtable, I was granted the honour of meeting with the previous Minister of Health – Dr Shane Reti, and Dr Nick Baker - Chief Medical Officer.  In this meeting I was able to present our survey findings and discuss the solutions that we had come up with during our Roundtable meeting.  As an organisation, we were heard and seen. Throughout all of the media coverage, interviews, conversations, meetings and documentation – one message was clear – we need new long-term treatments for eczema – and we were listened to.  You as the patient, your families and Whanau, those who are dealing with this every day, you were listened to – and as a result we were able to get this new drug approved, funded and available in May 2025.

A massive thank you to Ben Graham and the Pharmac team, the New Zealand Ministry of Health, Sarah Aldridge and the AbbVie team for keeping us at the forefront of their minds and for facilitating a solution. We are so grateful that this is going to have such a positive impact on so many people.

Although hope is what drives us, medications are not the solve all solution that they can sometimes be made out as.  Everyone is different – and what works for one doesn’t always work for another. Ensuring that you have the right information to actively care for your skin is vital.  Make sure that you stay informed and up to date with the dos and don’ts for managing your skin effectively and all the tips and tricks that are available to make life easier.  If you need more information or support and help with managing your eczema – you can reach out to us any time.

Our next mission is to explore options and avenues for getting more treatments into New Zealand for eczema, to ensure that we have a variety of options available for everyone. Remember that everyone is different, so what works for one doesn’t always work for another. Keep your eyes on our social media and website for the latest updates – You never know when we might need your help!

We now have hope. We are grateful that there is now a solution; an option of care to be explored.  That in the dark times with eczema, there is now an alternative – there is light at the end of the tunnel. This will open the doors for more open and collaborative conversations with policy makers and key players; ensuring that we have more opportunities for problem solving and solutions to managing eczema in New Zealand.

If you would like to know more about this drug, or get information to help manage your eczema, please contact us at eanz@eczema.org.nz.