Pharmac has announced it will fund two new treatments for osteoporosis.
People with the bone-thinning disease are being offered alternatives to the three drugs already funded, so that treatment can be tailored more effectively to their individual needs.
Raloxifene and teriparatide will be fully funded following an agreement reached with the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
The agreement also covers a long-acting injectable form of the antipsychotic medicine olanzapine.
Pharmac estimates the agreement will push pharmaceutical spending up by $9.8 million over five years, although that will partly be offset by a rebate arrangement with the manufacturer.
The three osteoporosis drugs already funded are alendronate, etidronate and zoledronic acid.
