Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has backed down on a plan to delay free access to a life-extending cancer drug after a backlash by patients and advocates.
Patient advocates are accusing Health New Zealand of "cruelty" towards a small group of cancer patients, who are being forced to wait two more months for a newly-funded drug.
Experts are calling for the flu vaccine for under 12-year-olds to be fully funded - again.
The rollout of a national bowel cancer screening programme appears to have stalled - much to the concern of a support charity.
A health economics professor says the Government's new direction for Pharmac could exacerbate existing inequities, with the agency now set to make wider economic and social considerations in its funding for drugs.
NZ Herald. Dear Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Minister of Finance Nichola Willis, and Associate Minister of Health (Pharmac) David Seymour. In August last year a promise was made to fund 13 new cancer medicines via a $280 million ring-fenced fund to Pharmac....
One News. The Government has confirmed universal free prescriptions will be axed in July with the $5 co-payment restored for most New Zealanders. However, prescriptions will stay free for people with Community Services Cards, people under 14, and people aged 65 and...
NZ Doctor. The return of the $5 prescription fee for most people is the main change for New Zealand’s health system in Budget 2024. The Coalition Government has followed through on its election campaign pledge to bring back the fee for everyone except Community...
RNZ. Heading into winter, Covid-19 is making headlines thanks to new variants and an increase in case numbers. Virus levels in wastewater were the highest they've been since December, 2022, according to national surveillance data for the week ending 19 May. And...
Stuff. Health NZ says it is working hard to recruit cancer care specialists. However, the public health agency has been unable to provide oncology vacancy numbers. Read...
HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
EQUITY
Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.
DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS
PUBLIC HEALTH
DIGITAL HEALTH
TE TIRITI