Hibiscus Coast residents and all Kiwis will soon benefit from expanded access to funded medicines, thanks to the government’s largest-ever investment in Pharmac.

This milestone follows a $6.294 billion allocation over four years to the independent Crown entity responsible for managing New Zealand’s medicine funding.

From January 1st 2025, four new treatments will be available through Pharmac, improving care for patients with conditions such as cancer, respiratory issues, and severe infections in young children.

The changes result from Pharmac’s recently strengthened funding and a public consultation process that incorporated patient feedback.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomed the advancements, noting Pharmac’s renewed focus on patient-centred care and resourceful procurement strategies.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour.

“When this government assumed office, New Zealanders were facing an uncertain future for medicine access. Pharmac had a $1.8 billion funding hole and no new money to increase access to medicines,” said Mr Seymour.

The latest government uplift of $604 million has facilitated agreements with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, resulting in the following new treatments being funded:

• Osimertinib (Tagrisso): A treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

• Trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu): A therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

• Palivizumab (Synagis): A preventive treatment for RSV in high-risk babies and young children.

• Breztri Aerosphere: A triple inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“Pharmac continues to show what it is capable of when given the support it needs,” Mr Seymour added, highlighting that the procurement process reflected patient voices, aligning with his expectations for 2025.

Pharmac’s expanded scope follows a challenging period of budget constraints but demonstrates the benefits of collaboration between government and health agencies.

Details of the changes can be found on Pharmac’s official website and communications channels.

The government emphasises its commitment to building a world-class health system, with access to world-class medicines forming a critical component of that vision.

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