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.
This week the coalition government made a significant investment in Pharmac, increasing funding by NZ$604 million over the next four years.
Advocates of cancer patients say Pharmac is now “on notice” to deliver the 26 Government-funded cancer treatments in a timely fashion in light of the public uproar caused when the Government’s cancer policy was delayed.
Pharmac welcomes the Government’s funding boost which will see about 175,000 more people receiving the medicines they need in the first year.
NZ Doctor. Health economist Paula Lorgelly says many Kiwis who were expecting more funding for new cancer drugs and for Pharmac will be sadly disappointed by Budget 2024, which she sees as underwhelming. 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