More medicines for New Zealanders

Earlier this week, Health Minister Andrew Little welcomed news that Pharmac plans to fully fund a medicine for spinal muscular atrophy, as well as adrenaline auto-injectors for people at risk of anaphylaxis, or life-threatening allergic reactions.

This will mean thousands more New Zealanders will be able to get the important medicines they need.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, decisions about which medicines are publically funded are made by medical experts through Pharmac, not politicians. But when it comes to how much funding Pharmac has to spend on these lifesaving medicines and treatments, that’s a decision for the Government of the day.

As a Labour Government, we want all New Zealanders and their families to be safe and healthy. That’s why we’ve made boosting Pharmac’s budget a priority, making medicines and treatments available to millions of people a year.

We’ve boosted Pharmac’s funding by 43%, so that more Kiwis can access the medicines, treatments, and medical devices they need.

Our record investments have enabled Pharmac to make 59 new medicines and treatments available, as well as expand access to another 130.

Ensuring more people can access lifesaving medicines and treatments is one way we’re building a health system that works for all New Zealanders. We’re also upgrading hospitals and health centres across the country, training more nurses and doctors, improving care in rural and smaller communities, rebuilding our mental health system and more as part of our health reforms.

You can find out more about our record on health here.

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