02 Jan 2026
10 months ago
2032 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown honored Dame Karen Poutasi for her extensive contributions to New Zealand's health system and public sector. Dame Karen held senior health roles, including Director-General of Health for 11 years, Chief Executive of NZQA for 14 years, and Chair of Health New Zealand, significantly improving health outcomes. Her leadership and expertise left a lasting legacy, and the government extended condolences to her family and friends.
13 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1677 views
Wellington Regional Hospital has installed a new SPECT-CT scanner featuring advanced imaging technology that provides faster, higher-quality scans with reduced radiation exposure, complementing an existing modern unit. This combined imaging technology enhances disease detection, diagnosis accuracy, and treatment monitoring for various patients, including those with cancer and children needing specialized imaging. The installation is part of a nationwide $108 million government upgrade to diagnostic imaging, which also includes refurbishing the scanning room to improve patient comfort.
05 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1239 views
Construction has begun on the Waikato Graduate School of Medicine, supported by over $230 million in funding, to train more doctors and improve primary care access in regional New Zealand. The new graduate-entry program, starting in 2028, aims to create a diverse medical workforce with a focus on rural and regional clinical placements, enhancing healthcare in underserved communities. This initiative complements the Government’s broader investment in the primary care workforce and supports regional development by providing local medical education and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
04 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1388 views
Registered nurse prescribers in New Zealand can now prescribe nearly double the number of medicines, enhancing timely and local access to treatment for common and long-term conditions. This expansion, alongside increased prescribing rights for pharmacists and other health professionals, reflects their advanced training and aims to improve integrated care and reduce healthcare system pressure. Additionally, from February 2026, some patients on stable long-term medications will be able to receive prescriptions for up to 12 months, lowering costs and simplifying medication management.
19 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1183 views
The Cabinet has agreed to introduce new safeguards on prescribing gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, restricting their use for new patients with gender dysphoria or incongruence until further clinical trial results are available, while maintaining access for existing patients and those with other medical conditions. This precautionary approach follows a lack of high-quality evidence on the benefits and risks of these treatments for gender dysphoria and aligns New Zealand’s regulations with those of the UK and other countries. The government emphasizes ensuring treatments are safe, evidence-based, and accessible through continued support and centralized youth gender services.
17 Nov 2025
12 months ago
1309 views
New Zealand’s Medicines Amendment Bill now allows nurse practitioners to prescribe a wider range of medicines, improving patient access and continuity of care. This change removes previous restrictions, enabling nurse practitioners to provide timely treatment directly within their scope of practice, especially benefiting communities with limited doctor access. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this update recognizes nurse practitioners' advanced skills and enhances healthcare efficiency and outcomes.
12 Nov 2025
1 year ago
1288 views
Starting from February 1, 2026, New Zealanders will have the option to receive 12-month prescriptions for their medications, aiming to save costs and enhance convenience for those on long-term treatments. This change, introduced in Budget 2025, allows stable patients to obtain longer prescriptions, reducing the need for frequent doctor visits and potentially saving up to $105 annually in GP fees. Additionally, the government is removing ownership restrictions for pharmacists to become prescribers, enabling more accessible care and innovation in the healthcare system.
12 Nov 2025
1 year ago
1307 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac's decision to fund access to five treatments, including for breast and lung cancer, starting from December 1, 2025. Pharmac's decisions include funding new subcutaneous options for existing IV medicines, two new medicines, and ongoing access to certain treatments. The move aims to make patients' lives easier, reduce strain on the health system, and provide better and faster access to cancer care in New Zealand, aligning with the government's focus on improving cancer management and ensuring better access to cancer medicines.
12 Nov 2025
1 year ago
1235 views
The Medicines Amendment Bill in New Zealand has lifted the prohibition on advertising medicines at medical conferences and trade shows, signaling the country's readiness for business, according to Regulation Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown. This change is expected to inject cash into local economies through the Red Tape Tipline and provide Kiwis with increased access to needed medicines. The move is projected to generate $90 million in revenue over the next few years, attracting major medical conferences to New Zealand and fostering economic activity.
12 Nov 2025
1 year ago
1214 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes the passing of the Medicines Amendment Bill, which introduces the 'Rule of Two' for faster approval of medicines with recognition from two overseas jurisdictions. The streamlined verification pathway aims to increase access to medicines for New Zealanders, starting with countries like Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The government prioritizes improving patient outcomes by enhancing access to medicines through initiatives like increased Pharmac funding, patient input in funding decisions, and efficient regulatory processes.
14 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1354 views
Cabinet papers reveal upcoming Medical Products Bill changes including the removal of pharmacy ownership restrictions to enhance access to healthcare. The bill will introduce a supervisory pharmacist role and allow advertising of unapproved medicines under certain conditions. Modernizing advertising regulations will provide better access to medical product information while ensuring consumer safety.
24 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1290 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown are pleased with Pharmac's negotiations to increase access to medicines, recognizing the significant impact on New Zealanders' health and well-being. Pharmac's proposal includes funding for five new treatments for various conditions, potentially benefiting over 1,700 people in the first year and up to 4,000 by year five. The proposal aims to improve patient care by introducing quicker administration methods, saving hospital infusion hours and freeing up resources for other treatments, while also emphasizing the importance of public consultation in decision-making processes.
19 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1722 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour highlights that Medsafe has been improving its efficiency in approving new medicines, with significant reductions in evaluation timeframes for both innovative and generic medicines. The implementation of initiatives like the Rule of Two and leveraging AI technology are expected to further expedite the approval processes. The focus is on ensuring faster access to vital medications for New Zealanders, with a commitment to a regulatory system that prioritizes timely approval without compromising safety.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3013 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac's decision to lower the cost of certain funded medicines in order to allocate more funding for new medicines, emphasizing the critical impact of pharmaceutical funding on the lives of New Zealanders. The annual tender process allows Pharmac to save between $30 million and $50 million annually by reducing costs of existing medicines to fund new ones. Pharmac has implemented additional consultation steps in the tender process to gather feedback from patients, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups, aiming for a more patient-centric approach in decision-making.
22 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2578 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac's new consumer working group to improve its collaboration with health consumers, emphasizing the importance of patient input in decision-making processes. The working group, led by Dr. Malcolm Mulholland, includes members representing various health conditions, aiming to reset the relationship between Pharmac and the consumer community. The government's support includes increased funding for Pharmac to negotiate better deals for medicine and enhance access for patients and their families.