So, how do we close The Medicine Gap?
There are three important first steps…
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.
#reformPharmac
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.
#fixPharmac
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.
#getorganised #helpKiwislive
Supporters of this Initiative
The Medicine Gap was created by a group of concerned New Zealanders who believe the Government must address this country’s escalating medicines crisis.
It aims to provide a collective voice to the thousands of sick and vulnerable New Zealanders who can’t afford life-transforming or life-saving drugs to live.
Our supporters have paid for our website, a bit of creative thinking, some social media advertising, a photographer, a lawyer, and a few travel costs. And we’re also grateful to a shedload of people who do a lot of work for us for free. You rock.
Just so you know, The Medicine Gap hasn’t engaged with or been funded by any pharmaceutical or health insurance company. Nada. Zero. Don’t even go there. That would just be dumb.
Political affiliation? Nope. None of that either. The Medicine Gap is not affiliated with any politician or political party. Not one.
And how long is our campaign here for? Well, we’re here for as long as it takes.
Who's Behind This?
Rachel Smalley is a journalist and strategic communications consultant, and the founder of The Medicine Gap.
Like many of her friends, Rachel has donated to Givealittle campaigns over the years, helping to raise money for modern medicines which aren’t funded in New Zealand.
However, the scale of New Zealand’s unfunded medicines crisis is now so great, it outstrips what any fundraising campaign can hope to achieve.
“Givealittle has become a mechanism for survival. Think about that for a moment. How is it that thousands of kiwis are forced to rely on charity to live?”
The Medicine Gap provides a platform for thousands of sick and vulnerable New Zealanders who need access to modern, life-transforming or life-saving drugs to live.
“In order to fix this issue, we need courageous leadership and a willingness to accept that the current system is failing New Zealanders.”
Jo Currie is a self-taught photographer. She’s travelled into some of the world’s most challenging environments to report on humanitarian emergencies
In 2015-2016, Jo and Rachel worked together in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraqi-Kurdistan, Serbia and Hungary, reporting on the Syrian Refugee Crisis for a World Vision campaign.
Jo is the photographer on The Medicine Gap, working with our brave voices to capture them in moments of strength. At times, as people speak about their diagnosis and the challenges they’ve faced, they’ve become upset. On each of these occasions, Jo has put down her camera.
“I’m not photographing people when they’re crying. I can’t do that.”
Jo isn’t always so principled.
“I always tell people they can swear, though. I’m not adverse to a bit of bad language.”
Fiona Tolich and Malcolm Mulholland – Patient Voice Aotearoa
Fiona and Malcolm represent a collective of patients, caregivers, whanau, advocates and charitable organisations who campaign strongly for the rights of New Zealand patients.
They are two of this country’s leading voices when it comes to driving change and increasing funding for modern medicines.
“It’s really important to us that New Zealanders hear these very human stories,” says Malcolm.
Fiona’s not so sure about the name, though. “I reckon it’s more of a Medicine Gulf than a Medicine Gap,” she quips.
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.
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.
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.