CheckToP is an at-home test to confirm a pregnancy has ended after a medical abortion. Photo: 123RF
Pharmac is set to fund an at-home testing kit to find out if a pregnancy termination has been successful.
The testing kit (branded as CheckToP) confirms a pregnancy has ended following a medical abortion.
It detects the levels of hormones in the body through a urine sample.
Pharmac spokesperson Alexandra Compton said anyone who needed it would be able to get an at-home test from their healthcare professional from 1 December.
She said Pharmac's public consultation on the CheckToP found it would make managing an abortion easier, especially for people in rural areas.
"Through consultation feedback people told us that having the tests available would reduce barriers for people to keep themselves well and healthy.
"They said the kits would support simple, safe, and convenient access to health care that will serve our communities well."
She said people would be able to carry out the test in a comfortable environment and at a time that suits them best.
"We think this will help increase the number of follow-up tests being done and reduce the need for follow-up blood tests."
She said more than 9000 New Zealanders would benefit from the kits in the first year of funding.
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa medical director Dr Beth Messenger praised the move.
"This is a great decision as it allows those who have had an early medical abortion to confirm for themselves that the termination is complete.
"This demedicalises the process and reduces the barriers to confirm that it has been successful."
In 2024, the coalition government provided Pharmac $604 million over four years to fund new medicines and widen access to medicines that are already funded.
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