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Transparency in the budget setting process would see Parliament deciding on the overall national medicines budget as part of the government’s annual budget package instead of medicines funding being the outcome of a complex negotiation between twenty DHBs, the medicines procurement agency and the Minister of Health. 1,2
Additionally, making the allocation of the medicines budget transparent means that funding can be easily and accurately measured.
Including patients, clinicians, industry and other stakeholders affected by medicines funding decisions in a consultation on a new generation medicines policy allows for an inclusive and holistic policy solution to be developed.1,2
The medicines budget needs to be increased to bring New Zealand’s spending per capita in line with other comparable OECD countries.3,4,5
The medicines budget has been underfunded since 20073,4,5 - investment needs to be made to ensure New Zealand patients don’t continue missing out on proven modern medicines and that New Zealand is well placed to fund innovative medicines coming down the pipeline.
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Introducing a rapid access to medicines scheme would provide patients with access to effective medicines faster to ensure no patient is left waiting for a medicine they need.
Doing nothing is not an option if timely access to new medicines is important for retaining trust and confidence that publicly funded health is ‘modern’ and fit for the future. 2,6
This site is managed by Medicines New Zealand, the industry group representing pharmaceutical companies operating in New Zealand.
Medicines New Zealand advocates to improve access to modern medicines for New Zealand patients.
Medicines New Zealand’s members are engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of modern prescription medicines. Medicines that are recognised as life changing, breakthrough or leading therapies.