Government drug-buying agency Pharmac is to start funding another treatment for epilepsy.
Those who suffer side-effects from currently-funded epilepsy medicines or whose symptoms have not been adequately controlled by the medicines are eligible for the new treatment, lacosamide.
Pharmac medical director Dr Peter Moodie says it is pleasing to be able to offer lacosamide to epilepsy sufferers because having a range of treatments to try is important.
Pharmac expects about 400 people will be prescribed lacosamide in the coming three years, at a cost of $4.8 million over 5 years.
Funding for lacosamide will begin from Sunday.