A leading medical specialist says access to treatment for the crippling bowel condition Crohn's disease should not depend on where patients live.
Research by Otago University has found the disease, which affects about 7000 New Zealanders, is costing the country at least $100 million per year in health costs and lost hours of work.
One of the study's supervisors, Associate Professor Richard Gearry, says more effective outpatient services and cost-effective drugs are needed.
He says diagnosing patients sooner is important, so they can start on appropriate treatment.
Professor Gearry says access to new drugs that are becoming available is patchy, depending on where people live.
