Articles tagged with Pharmac
Pharmac's Deal with Medtronic to Save $1.2M Annually on Drug-Eluting Stents
12 min ago | 35 viewsPharmac has proposed a provisional agreement with Medtronic New Zealand to supply 65% of drug-eluting stents to public hospitals, potentially saving $1.2 million annually while ensuring access to high-quality stents. The proposal, developed with input from the Interventional Cardiology Advisory Group, aims to improve procurement efficiency and collaboration between Pharmac and Health New Zealand. Public consultation is open until April 28 to gather feedback from healthcare professionals and stakeholders before finalizing the deal for implementation starting June 2026.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Medtronic New Zealand Health New Zealand Interventional Cardiology Advisory Group Associate Health Minister public hospitals Principal Supply Status Pharmaceutical ScheduleGovernment to Shift Ambulance Medicine Funding to Pharmac for Better Care and Savings
2 weeks ago | 167 viewsThe Government plans to transfer funding responsibility for ambulance medicines from Health New Zealand and ACC to Pharmac to improve procurement efficiency, ensure nationwide access to consistent emergency medicines, and save costs. This change will create a single nationally consistent medicine list for ambulance services, enhancing continuity of care between ambulance providers and hospitals while leveraging Pharmac’s expertise and buying power. Public consultation on the proposal is open from March 12 to April 2, 2024, with implementation targeted for July 1, 2026.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac Health New Zealand ACC ambulance medicines emergency care medicine procurement New Zealand government pharmaceutical scheduleAnna Adams Appointed New Solicitor-General and Chief Executive of Crown Law Office
2 weeks ago | 158 viewsAnna Adams has been appointed Solicitor-General and Chief Executive of the Crown Law Office, bringing 28 years of extensive public law experience and strong private-sector leadership. She has acted as lead counsel in over 100 significant cases and held senior roles at Meredith Connell and PHARMAC. Her appointment, effective from 11 May 2026 for five years, is praised for her judgment, integrity, and ability to provide strong leadership in this key constitutional role.
Tags: Anna Adams Judith Collins Crown Law Office Bankside Chambers Meredith Connell PHARMAC Yale Law SchoolNew Zealand Proposes Funding Letermovir to Prevent Infection After Stem Cell Transplants
3 weeks ago | 176 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund letermovir from May 2026 to prevent serious CMV infections in stem cell transplant patients and those with severe immunosuppression. This initiative aims to improve patient outcomes by reducing complications, hospital stays, and healthcare system pressure, aligning with the Government’s commitment to expanding stem cell transplant capacity and enhancing cancer treatment access. Pharmac is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal, inviting input from affected patients, families, health professionals, and advocacy groups.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac letermovir stem cell transplant New Zealand CMV infection cancer treatment healthcare system Faster Cancer TreatmentNew Collective Agreements Boost Salaries and Support for NZ Public Health Nurses
3 weeks ago | 207 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of new collective agreements for approximately 3,500 Public Health and Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand, which include salary increases, lump sum payments, and enhanced professional development allowances. The agreements also commit to recruiting over 550 additional nursing positions to strengthen frontline services. This follows recent approvals of agreements for other health sector workers, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure staff support and quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Public Service Association Public Health Nurses Mental Health Nurses Health New Zealand Nurse Practitioners APEX pharmacy APEX psychologists APEX dietitiansHealth Minister Welcomes New Pay Deal for 12,300 Health NZ Workers
4 weeks ago | 198 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 12,300 Allied, Public Health, Scientific, and Technical workers represented by the Public Service Association. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump sum payment, a new pay scale for Sterile Sciences Technicians, and a $400,000 professional development fund. This settlement follows recent approvals for other health sector agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in workforce negotiations.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Allied Health Public Health Scientific Technicians Public Service Association Health New Zealand APEX Pharmacy APEX Psychologists Sterile Sciences TechniciansPharmac Proposes Widened Access to Immunotherapy for Advanced Melanoma Patients
4 weeks ago | 224 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to expand access to immunotherapy medicines nivolumab and ipilimumab for people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma starting May 2026, aiming to improve treatment outcomes and reduce cancer recurrence. These medicines, used together before surgery, can enhance immune response, potentially reduce the need for further treatment, and save health resources by decreasing infusion hours and hospital visits. The government emphasizes faster access to effective cancer care, backed by significant investment in new medicines, while Pharmac seeks public and clinical feedback on the proposal before finalizing the decision.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac nivolumab ipilimumab melanoma New Zealand cancer treatment immunotherapy Melanoma New ZealandPharmac Proposes Funding New Combination Therapies for CLL Blood Cancer in NZ
1 month ago | 225 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies—venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab—as first-line treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) starting May 2026. These treatments aim to improve patient outcomes by enabling longer remission, reducing the need for chemotherapy, and offering more convenient pill-based options, including availability in private clinics to minimize patient disruption. The Government’s broader commitment includes investing $604 million to fund new blood cancer medicines, expanding stem cell transplant services, and enhancing cancer care access and timeliness across New Zealand.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac venetoclax ibrutinib obinutuzumab chronic lymphocytic leukaemia blood cancer New Zealand Government cancer treatmentNew Collective Agreement Boosts Support and Stability for NZ Pharmacists
1 month ago | 250 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for about 300 pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement recognizes pharmacists' valuable work, offers workforce stability, and includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements. This initiative aims to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce to ensure timely, quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand pharmacists Association of Professionals & Executive Employees APEX collective agreement pharmacy workforce New Zealand professional membership contributionsNew Collective Agreement Boosts Support and Stability for NZ Pharmacists
1 month ago | 235 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, benefiting approximately 300 pharmacists nationwide. The agreement recognizes their valuable work, provides greater workforce stability, and supports their essential role in health service delivery. It also includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements, aiming to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand pharmacists Association of Professionals & Executive Employees APEX collective agreement pharmacy workforce New Zealand professional membership contributionsWorld Cancer Day: Advancing Faster, Fairer Cancer Care Across New Zealand
1 month ago | 309 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize advancements in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered decisions and improved access to modern treatments. Over the past two years, the government has implemented initiatives such as funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, lowering bowel screening age, and investing in infrastructure and workforce to enhance early detection and treatment. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, bring care closer to home, and ensure equitable, high-quality cancer care nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown World Cancer Day New Zealand Taranaki Cancer Centre Pharmac breast screening bowel screening Faster Cancer Treatment Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Cancer Action PlanWorld Cancer Day: Advancing Faster, Fairer Cancer Care Across New Zealand
1 month ago | 285 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize progress in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered improvements such as earlier detection, faster treatment access, and modern therapies. Key initiatives include funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, establishing faster treatment targets, investing in infrastructure and workforce, and developing a Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, enhance treatment accessibility, and provide equitable, high-quality care nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown World Cancer Day New Zealand Taranaki Cancer Centre Pharmac breast screening bowel screening Faster Cancer Treatment Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Cancer Action PlanNZ Expands Access to Brentuximab for Blood Cancer Patients from 2026
1 month ago | 267 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to expand access to brentuximab as a first-line treatment for systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, aiming to improve survival rates and quality of life. The government has increased Pharmac’s budget significantly, enabling funding for 43 new cancer treatments and expanding stem cell transplant services to reduce wait times and help more patients receive timely care. If approved, the proposal will take effect on April 1, 2026, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing cancer treatment access and outcomes in New Zealand.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac brentuximab systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma Blood Cancer NZ New Zealand Government cancer treatment stem cell transplant Faster Cancer TreatmentNew ADHD Treatment Access in New Zealand Expanded to GPs and Nurse Practitioners
1 month ago | 351 viewsNew Zealand has expanded who can assess, diagnose, and start treatment for ADHD to improve timely access, allowing specialist GPs and nurse practitioners to manage adults and certain nurse practitioners to treat children under 18. Previously, only specialists could prescribe ADHD medicines, but now prescribing rules have been widened, removing prior restrictions and easing access to medication. These changes, along with removing renewal requirements for funded stimulant medicines, aim to connect more people with support earlier and positively impact education, employment, relationships, and mental health.
Tags: Matt Doocey ADHD New Zealand Medsafe Pharmac GPs nurse practitioners paediatrician psychiatrist Ministry of HealthPharmac Proposes Funding Trikafta and Alyftrek for All Children with Cystic Fibrosis
2 months ago | 339 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s public consultation on funding Trikafta and Alyftrek for children with cystic fibrosis of all ages, aiming to expand access beyond the current age restrictions. If approved, the proposal effective from April 1, 2026, would allow doctors to prescribe these life-changing treatments based on clinical need, addressing early harm caused by cystic fibrosis and improving patient outcomes. Pharmac encourages feedback from patients, families, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups before the consultation closes on February 11, 2026.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Trikafta Alyftrek Kalydeco cystic fibrosis Associate Health Minister New Zealand public consultation healthcare