Most New Zealanders are unaware that Pharmac, our drug-buying agency, has become a medical dinosaur. It was created in the 1990’s and is a relic of that era. It views medicines as a sunk cost. It communicates poorly. It’s prioritises politicians ahead of patients.
There is no way to soften this message for New Zealanders – Pharmac fails Kiwis at the most vulnerable time of their lives, and its siloed leadership remains deeply resistant to change.
Every day, New Zealanders email or write to Pharmac asking for help to treat the illnesses affecting the people they love. You will find some of their brave stories here. They are the fighters, the survivors and the sufferers. And tragically, they are the stories of people who have lost their fight for life.
Their stories are honest and raw. And unashamedly so. They are telling their stories in the hope that people will understand that Pharmac’s failings will affect us all at some point of our lives. There is no other option. For the sake of every New Zealander, Pharmac must be reformed.
God speed to all the New Zealanders who are waiting for modern medicnes. Change must come to Pharmac. And soon.
#reformPharmac #themedicinegap #helpKiwislive
Their Stories
View 46 StoriesLet’s close the Gap
Get Involved1.
REFORM
PHARMAC
Achieve a measurable, political commitment to reform Pharmac and create a fit-for-purpose drug-buying agency that supports and enables greatly improved access to modern medicines – and ensure a direct line of political accountability.
2.
OVERHAUL THE FUNDING
METHODOLOGY
Introduce a globally accepted modern, cost-benefit analysis for medicines and medical devices which looks at the ‘value’ of a medicine, and considers the financial, economic, and social impact of untreated disease on our society.
3.
COMMIT TO AN OUTCOMES-BASED MEDICAL STRATEGY
Develop a Medicines Strategy to guide the decision-making process, create measurable targets to reduce Pharmac’s waiting list, and detail how the agency will respond to rapid developments in modern medicine to improve health outcomes for New Zealanders.