People suffering from Alzheimer's in New Zealand can breathe easily, now. Pharmac has approved donepezil for use in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Even though it is not clear when the program will start, it is supposed to start sometime in the month of May. The drug first will be registered for use in New Zealand by Medsafe.

Donepezil is an inhibitor medicine mainly used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia. These treatments were not funded till now in New Zealand.

The decision has received a lot of support from health experts and activists. They feel that a lot of patients will be able to lead a better quality of life after these medications are available.

Donepezil has come off patent recently and will be available in a generic version at a highly reduced price. Around 15,000 patients will directly benefit from the medicine.

Earlier patients had to pay $150 to $300 every month for medicines like donepezil from their own pockets. Donepezil is helpful in slowing down the onset of Alzheimer's and improve cognitive functions apart from helping the patient experience a better quality of life.

It is estimated that more than 40,000 people in New Zealand are suffering from dementia and almost 50% of these are suffering from Alzheimer's disease. But health experts point out that not all the patients will benefit from this medicine.