A major change in how medicines are approved in New Zealand is on the horizon, with Cabinet backing a faster, overseas-recognition approach that could cut wait times to under 30 days.

The shift is part of the Medicines Amendment Bill and is expected to be in place by early 2026.

Under the new system, if a medicine is already approved in two recognised countries—such as Australia, the United States, or the United Kingdom—it can be greenlit more quickly here.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour said the move prioritises patient access and reflects a smarter, faster way to ensure Kiwis get the treatments they need.

“Faster access to medicines has always been a priority of mine,” Seymour said. “For many New Zealanders, pharmaceuticals are life or death.”

The new pathway, nicknamed the “Rule of Two,” relies on approvals from trusted jurisdictions including the EU, Canada, Switzerland, and Singapore.

Medsafe, New Zealand’s regulatory body, already works closely with these countries.

Seymour likened the approach to how New Zealand approves vehicles.

“New cars are acceptable if they meet one of several foreign standards. We can apply the same principle to medicines,” he said.

One real-world example: a new asthma treatment that could have been approved by late 2022 using this system was only cleared in May 2024—a 16-month delay Seymour says could’ve been avoided.

The changes are part of a wider Government push to improve access to medicine, including the largest-ever Pharmac budget ($6.294 billion over four years) and process changes to streamline funding and regulatory approvals.

Locals on the Hibiscus Coast and across New Zealand can expect a public Select Committee process in the near future, where the proposed rules will be open for feedback.

Know something local worth sharing?

Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.