Pharmac’s funding decisions since the uplift

Pharmac has used the funding uplift to make 34 new medicines available, which includes 17 cancer medicines. We are currently considering feedback on a further 8 medicines, with consultation open on two medicines.

Pharmac Director of Pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon says she's pleased that New Zealanders can see tangible results from the government increased investment in Pharmac.  

"I'm incredibly proud of the work Pharmac staff are doing to deliver new medicines to New Zealanders. We were provided the funding uplift in June, and now life-changing medicines for cancer and other conditions have been funded and are are being rolled out in hospitals and health centres across the country," MacGibbon says. 

MacGibbon says she also wants to acknowledge the input of patients and health care professionals. 

“We’re very grateful for the feedback we’ve received in our public consultations on these medicines. It gives us valuable insights into the health conditions people are living with and the medicines that matter for their treatment,” says MacGibbon. 

One of the latest medicines to become available for New Zealanders is empagliflozin, a medicine used to treat chronic heart failure. 

"Around 18,000 New Zealanders with chronic heart failure will benefit in the first year of funding empagliflozin. That means people with this condition will be able to live healthier lives with their whānau and communities for longer."

There are also flow on effects for the health system - access to empagliflozin will reduce hospitalisations for people with chronic heart failure, easing the pressure on our wider health system.