09 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3310 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to improve access to asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August 2025. “For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines – this is committed to in the Act-National Coalition Agreement,” Mr Seymour says.
01 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3607 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today announced that Pharmac have created their comprehensive list of medical devices which are used in public hospitals, to improve the way they manage medical devices. “Almost everyone diagnosed or treated at a public hospital relies on medical devices for their care. These can range from bandages and cotton swabs to pacemakers, hip replacements, hospital beds, and robotic surgery machines,” Mr Seymour says.
01 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2157 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has empowered Pharmac and Medsafe to explore the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up their processes. “Faster access to medicines has always been a priority of mine. For many New Zealanders, pharmaceuticals are life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says.
24 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2393 views
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed prescribing changes that will enable GPs and nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). “I applaud Pharmac and Medsafe’s decision to widen prescribing rules for ADHD medicines from next February, this decision will give New Zealanders faster access to assessments and treatment,” Mr Doocey says. “This is a common-sense change that will make a meaningful difference in many lives of New Zealanders.
17 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2186 views
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed Natalie McMurtry as Pharmac’s Chief Executive. Natalie McMurtry will start as Pharmac’s Chief Executive on Monday 15 September, taking over from the Acting Chief Executive, Brendan Boyle. “For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister.
16 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2270 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says the oestradiol patch funding decision is an example of Pharmac’s new patient-centric approach. From December 2025 Pharmac will fund two brands of oestradiol patches, Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan. “Pharmac received significant feedback at the end of last year about a decision to move to Estradiol TDP Mylan as the only funded brand of oestradiol patch.