Pharmac wants to fund prasugrel again, a drug that helps reduce the risk of blood clots, and is asking for feedback on the plan.
The agency announced the proposal on 12 November. It would cover people who have had a heart attack or certain other serious heart conditions.
Some people who have had procedures to open blocked or narrowed heart arteries, such as angioplasty or stent placement, would also qualify.
Prasugrel was funded here before. It became unavailable after its supplier discontinued it in 2021.
Michaela Lion, Pharmac's Manager, Pharmaceutical Funding, said the proposal would give people another funded treatment option.
"This proposal would make the medicine available again and increase treatment choice for around 4000 people at risk of serious heart-related events," Lion said.
A heart attack or stroke can happen when a clot blocks a vessel in the heart or brain. After a heart attack or some heart procedures, people are often prescribed medicines that help stop blood clots forming and reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events, she said.
Not every medicine works the same way for every person, Lion said. Funding it would give clinicians another option when choosing the right treatment for the person.
"For some people, currently funded treatment options may not be suitable because of allergy, intolerance, or reduced effectiveness," she said.
Prasugrel is usually taken with aspirin. Pharmac says it works by stopping certain cells in the blood from clumping or sticking together.
It is taken once a day, which Pharmac says may make treatment easier for some people. Clinical advice suggests it may be a more suitable option for some patients than the drugs already funded.
It also carries a risk. Pharmac says prasugrel may increase the chance of serious bleeding in some people.
Two similar medicines, clopidogrel and ticagrelor, are already funded, and Pharmac says they stay that way. The proposal "would not remove access to other funded antiplatelet medicines".
