Photo: 123rfSome patients with severe eczema are paying thousands of dollars for new-generation treatments - but many of those worst affected are missing out. According to dermatologists, eczema treatment in New Zealand is a decade behind, despite 6 percent of the population suffering from the chronic inflammatory skin condition - one of the highest rates in the world. Upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for moderate to severe eczema is on Pharmac's "options for investment list", which means it is a treatment it would like to fund, once its budget allowed. Photo: DupixentDermatological Society incoming president Dr Scott Barker said New Zealand was more than 10 years behind in terms of recommended eczema treatment. "GPs are able to prescribe the standard medicines we have now [for severe eczema] - like Methotrexate, Ciclosporin and Azathioprine.
