Articles tagged with Pharmac
Pharmac to Fund Ambulance Medicines from July for Better Patient Care in NZ
2 weeks ago | 169 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s new responsibility to fund ambulance medicines from July 1, aiming to provide consistent access to emergency medicines nationwide while achieving cost savings. Following public consultation, Pharmac added seven commonly used ambulance medicines to the funded list to better reflect practical needs and improve patient outcomes. This change integrates ambulance medicines management with hospital medicines, enhancing system efficiency, value for taxpayers, and seamless care transitions between ambulance and hospital services.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Health New Zealand ACC ambulance services emergency medicines patient outcomes public consultation health budget New ZealandNew Zealand Budget 2026: $5.8B Boost to Healthcare for Better Patient Care
3 weeks ago | 298 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing a record $5.8 billion in Budget 2026 to improve healthcare access, reduce wait times, and strengthen frontline services, raising total health spending to $34.2 billion in 2026/27. This funding supports increased care delivery across various sectors, including elective surgeries, cancer treatments, mental health services, and aged care, alongside initiatives like paediatric palliative care and enhanced digital health security. Additionally, structural changes such as removing the capital charge for Health New Zealand aim to improve efficiency without affecting patient care or overall service delivery.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Budget 2026 Health New Zealand healthcare system mental health paediatric palliative care National Bowel Screening Programme Pharmac frontline health services2026 NZ Minister for Manufacturing Awards Celebrate Innovation and Excellence
3 weeks ago | 277 viewsThe second annual Minister for Manufacturing Awards in New Zealand celebrated businesses and individuals driving innovation, growth, and resilience in the manufacturing sector, which contributes $22 billion annually and 60% of goods exports to the economy. Winners included Architectural Glass Products for process innovation and manufacturing excellence, Devin Gibson as Apprentice of the Year, Oliver Hunt for healthcare remanufacturing leadership, and Jeff Douglas for his transformative legacy in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The awards highlight the sector's commitment to innovation, skills development, sustainable practices, and global competitiveness amid ongoing challenges.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Devin Gibson Oliver Hunt Deanne Holdsworth Jeff Douglas Architectural Glass Products Medsalv PACT Group Arotec Diagnostics Douglas PharmaceuticalsPharmac Proposes Expanded Flu Vaccine Funding for NZ Children and Seniors in 2027
1 month ago | 261 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s proposal to expand New Zealand’s vaccine program by funding flu vaccines for children aged 6 months to 5 years and securing supply for 17 vaccines and one diagnostic test. The proposal includes changing vaccine brands to enhance protection, particularly for older adults and at-risk groups, and aims to make over 1.5 million people eligible for funded vaccines in the first year. Pharmac is seeking public and professional feedback before finalizing the proposal, with changes expected to take effect from April and July 2027.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac New Zealand flu vaccine children meningococcal ACWY pneumococcal vaccine Immunisation Advisory Committee vaccine funding National Immunisation SchedulePharmac Proposes Wider Access to Type 2 Diabetes Medicines Based on Need
1 month ago | 308 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to expand funding for three type 2 diabetes medicines by removing ethnicity-based criteria and lowering cardiovascular risk thresholds, aiming to improve access based on clinical need. If approved, the changes could benefit up to 23,000 more people over five years, enhancing early treatment to reduce complications and hospital admissions. This initiative aligns with the Government’s broader commitment to equitable, needs-based healthcare and increased health system funding to improve outcomes for all New Zealanders.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac type 2 diabetes empagliflozin liraglutide dulaglutide New Zealand health system GovernmentNew ED Pharmacist Role at Dunedin Hospital Speeds Patient Care and Supports Doctors
1 month ago | 270 viewsA new pharmacist role in Dunedin Hospital’s Emergency Department has improved patient flow and safety by taking medication histories, reviewing medicines, and identifying issues early, saving doctors up to 20 minutes per patient. This role enables faster, more accurate clinical decisions and allows doctors to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork, enhancing efficiency across the hospital. Positive feedback from ED doctors highlights the role as a game changer, particularly for patients with complex medication needs, demonstrating the benefits of targeted workforce initiatives.
Tags: pharmacist Dunedin Hospital Emergency Department Health Minister Simeon Brown patient flow medication histories clinical efficiency patient safety healthcare system frontline staffNew Cancer Infusion Service Launches at Te Kūiti Hospital for Local Care
1 month ago | 382 viewsTe Kūiti Hospital has launched a new infusion service providing local cancer treatments, reducing the need for patients to travel to Waikato Hospital. Initially operating one day a week with certified staff and on-site support, the service aims to expand as part of a nationwide effort to increase cancer treatment access in rural communities. Supported by significant government investment, this initiative focuses on patient-centered care, improving timely treatment access, and enhancing the overall experience for patients and their families.
Tags: Simeon Brown Te Kūiti Hospital King Country Waikato Hospital chemotherapy cancer treatment New Zealand Pharmac Budget 2024 infusion serviceNew Cancer Infusion Centre Opens in Henderson for West Auckland Patients
1 month ago | 293 viewsA new community-based cancer infusion centre is opening in Henderson, West Auckland, allowing patients to receive treatment closer to home and reducing travel to Auckland City Hospital. This service, operating five days a week with four treatment chairs, complements a recent infusion centre at Waitākere Hospital and is part of a nationwide effort to expand community cancer care. Supported by a $210 million investment from Budget 2024 and increased Pharmac funding, New Zealand plans to open 14 new infusion centres and expand 14 others to meet growing demand and improve patient access.
Tags: West Auckland cancer treatment infusion service Henderson Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Te Whānau o Waipareira Waitākere Hospital Pharmac Budget 2024Health Minister Welcomes New Agreement for Senior Medical Officers in NZ
1 month ago | 308 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 5,500 senior doctors represented by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). He emphasized the critical role senior doctors play in the healthcare system and their contribution to achieving government health targets. The agreement follows similar approvals for other health sector groups and reflects constructive engagement between ASMS and Health New Zealand to ensure continued patient care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Association of Salaried Medical Specialists ASMS Senior Medical Officers Health Minister APEX pharmacy PSA Allied Public Health STONZ Resident Medical Officers Health New Zealand collective agreementEasier, Affordable Kids’ Health Treatment via Community Pharmacies in NZ from June
2 months ago | 515 viewsFrom June, New Zealand will expand funded treatment services through community pharmacies to provide easier and more affordable care for children’s common health conditions, reducing reliance on GP appointments. Pharmacists will be authorized to assess patients and supply subsidized medicines for issues like pain, fever, scabies, and urinary tract infections, supported by a $5 million annual fund to ensure nationwide availability. This initiative aims to improve timely access to healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas, by leveraging pharmacists as accessible and trusted health professionals.
Tags: Simeon Brown David Seymour Health New Zealand Pharmacists community pharmacies GP appointments Extended Pharmacy Services Fund Pharmaceutical Schedule New Zealand health children's healthcareNZ Expands Cancer Infusion Services Nationwide for Faster, Local Treatment
2 months ago | 454 viewsNew Zealand is expanding community infusion services with 14 new centres and 14 expansions to provide thousands more cancer treatments closer to patients’ homes, supported by a $210 million investment from Budget 2024. This initiative responds to a 12% increase in demand, adding 218 more chair-days weekly and addressing the need for increased capacity following the introduction of 33 new cancer medicines funded by Pharmac. The government aims to improve cancer outcomes by ensuring timely, accessible treatment nationwide, while recruiting additional healthcare staff to support the expanded services through 2028.
Tags: Simeon Brown Pharmac Budget 2024 New Zealand cancer treatment infusion centres community infusion services healthcare expansion cancer care medical workforcePharmac Funds New Combination Therapies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in NZ
2 months ago | 492 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour applauds Pharmac’s decision to fund two new combination therapies—venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab—as first-line treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), along with expanded access to ibrutinib as a second-line option. These treatments, available from May 2026, aim to improve patient outcomes by enabling longer remission, reducing the need for chemotherapy and hospital visits, and accommodating patient feedback gathered through community consultation. Since the government increased Pharmac’s budget, over 200,000 patients have benefited from funding decisions on 133 medicines, including 46 cancer treatments, reflecting a more collaborative approach with the patient community.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac chronic lymphocytic leukaemia CLL venetoclax ibrutinib obinutuzumab cancer medication New Zealand cancer patientsNew Public Finance Amendment Act Enhances Fiscal Transparency in NZ
2 months ago | 503 viewsNew legislation requires the Treasury to include specific fiscal risk statements in economic and fiscal updates, addressing previously unclear risks such as time-limited funding for Pharmac medicines. The Act removes the requirement for Treasury to report on wellbeing, focusing instead on core economic and fiscal advice, and advances the delivery date of the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update by five working days to better inform voters. This law will take effect on July 1, 2026.
Tags: Nicola Willis Public Finance Amendment Act Treasury Pharmac PREFU New Zealand Finance Minister Parliament fiscal risksNew Public Finance Amendment Act Enhances Fiscal Transparency in NZ
2 months ago | 435 viewsNew legislation requires the Treasury's economic and fiscal updates to include specific statements on fiscal risks, addressing previous omissions like time-limited funding for essential medicines. It also removes the Treasury's obligation to report on "wellbeing," refocusing its role on core economic and fiscal advice, and advances the delivery date of the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update to give voters more time to consider election choices. The Act is set to take effect by July 1, 2026.
Tags: Nicola Willis Public Finance Amendment Act Treasury Pharmac New Zealand PREFU Finance Minister Parliament fiscal risks economic outlookPharmac Expands Funding for Trikafta, Alyftrek & Kalydeco for All Children with Cystic Fibrosis
2 months ago | 529 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to fund Trikafta and Alyftrek for all children with cystic fibrosis regardless of age from April 1, 2026, expanding access beyond the previous age limits. Pharmac will also widen access to Kalydeco for all eligible patients and allow doctors to prescribe these lifechanging treatments based on clinical judgment, addressing the urgent needs of young children affected by cystic fibrosis. This decision follows positive public consultation and reflects Pharmac’s commitment to working with the cystic fibrosis community to improve health outcomes and reduce pressure on the health system.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Trikafta Alyftrek Kalydeco cystic fibrosis children health minister New Zealand funding decision