Podcasts about Pharmac

In the first of a four-part collaborative series with the Medical Technology Association of New Zealand, eHealth Talk host and HiNZ media editor Rebecca McBeth interviews MTANZ CEO Cushla Smyth about the challenges facing medical device suppliers and the future of the sector.They discuss findings from MTANZ's latest member survey, procurement delays, the lack of clarity over whether Pharmac or Health NZ will manage medical device contracting, and what this uncertainty means for investment and patient access to new technologies.Cushla also shares her vision for building a thriving, patient-focused medical technology industry in Aotearoa.

Questions to Ministers NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: Does she agree with the findings of the Below the Income Floor: Modelling Income Adequacy for Low-Income New Zealand Households 2018 - 2026 report; if not, why not? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister for Infrastructure: What recent announcements has he made about getting infrastructure built in New Zealand? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? TODD STEPHENSON to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about Pharmac? RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has the Government made about strengthening New Zealand's domestically trained doctor workforce? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Does he stand by his statement that "Having better competition means that we can bring down the cost of living for Kiwis"; if so, what is he doing, if anything, that reduces the cost of living? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? JENNY MARCROFT to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent reports has she seen about smoking in New Zealand? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister for Universities: Does he stand by all his statements and actions regarding the Waikato medical school? FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ to the Minister for Universities: Does he stand by his announcement about the establishment of a new medical school and that it will "build a stronger, more diverse workforce"; if so, why?

The government has green-lit a new medical school at the University of Waikato, ending months of delays due to coalition wrangling. It was a National election promise, and it has finally got the go ahead, with the government announcing it will front up around $80 million while the University pays $150 million for the project. It will add 120 doctor training places each year, starting in 2028. The announcement also came as inflation edges to a 12-month high, and the Minister in charge of Pharmac released a new letter of expectations. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Drug buying agency Pharmac is bringing patients and consumers to the table. Chair of the new group Dr Malcolm Mulholland spoke to Corin Dann.

A new weightloss medication is now available in New Zealand – accessible on a private, nonsubsidised script. Dr Bryan Betty joined Jack Tame to discuss Wegovy – what it is, how you use it, the side effects, and why people are seeking medical treatment for their weight. What is Wegovy? A once-weekly injection for weight loss known as a ‘GP-1 agonist'. It mimics a hormone in the gut that reduces our desire to eat and controls sugar in the blood. Developed originally for diabetes but found to help with weight loss, especially at higher doses. The same drug at lower does is known as Ozempic, which is used for diabetes. Is obesity a problem in New Zealand? Why medication? Shouldn't we just eat better and move more? We do have problem in New Zealand with obesity – it's a major heath issue. Over a third population is classified as obese, and it costs the economy $2 billion a year in healthcare costs. A good diet and exercise are critically important for weight loss. However once above BMI 30, it can be very hard to lose weight despite a person's lifestyle, so medication can be a useful adjunct for some people in weight loss. How do we use it and are there side-effects? Once-weekly injection. You adjust the dose every month until you reach the maximum dose. Side effects can include nausea, bloating, loose bowel motions, burping. More serious ones can occur but are very rare: pancreas inflammation, bowel obstruction. Most people have few issues. Is there a cost and how long do you take it for? It is not funded by Pharmac and costs about $500 a month or $6000 a year. Many studies now show that when you stop, the weight can go back on. There is a shift to thinking these medications may need to be used long-term, much like a blood pressure or diabetes medication. It is safe for long term use. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week Pharmac workers announced their first-ever strike over cuts to annual pay increases and deteriorating work conditions. Also last week, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation announced plans to strike on July 30th. The nurses' strike follows concerns around understaffing and overcrowding, with many staff members facing burnout.  These two issues have been attributed to similar causes - not enough funding in the health sector, which is forcing redundancies, increased hours, and understaffing. While the government has committed extra funding to the health sector in the last two budgets, critics say the funding is inadequate and barely catching up to existing deficits.  In our weekly catch-up with the National party, Wire host Castor asked Tom Rutherford about health funding and the government's plans moving forward in light of the two recently announced health workers' strikes.

A digtal health expert says Aotearoa needs clear laws on the use of artifical intelligence, including what information and data can be fed into model, and whats off limits, as AI is increasingly used in health and other areas. Associate Minister of Health, David Seymour has written to Pharmac encouraging them to use Articficial Intelligence to speed up their processes and improve access to medicines. Medsafe and Pharmac say they've started using Artificial intelligence tools to process complex information and large data sets. AUT Associate Professor and expert in digital health Sam Madanian spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's a second life in single-use medical devices, but getting Pharmac on board with the money-saving venture has been a battleA Canterbury company is successfully remanufacturing so-called single use medical devices, with the potential to save our cash-strapped health sector a wad of money…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the recent study showing the increased speed of Antarctic ice melt, the removal of the Proud Boys designation as a terrorist group and The government's recent Family Boost announcement. For this week's Get Action! Wednesday Wire host Oto spoke with Dave Macpherson from Save our Trains Southern about a petition of his calling for the restoration of the Southerner Train line. Producer Max spoke with PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons, to talk about the historic strike that is occuring at Pharmac this week. Oto spoke with the co-head of Maori and Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland Gordon Nanau about French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to grant New Caledonia associated statehood. And Monday Producer Sam spoke to the Deputy Director Māori at the Centre of Brain Research Te Huinga Hinengaro, Dr Makarena Dudley, about her kauapapa to support rural Māori communities with members suffering from mate wareware, or dementia.

For the first time in its history, staff at the government drug-buying agency,  Pharmac, are going on strike. The action will happen this week, after Health economists, Māori health experts, and medical practitioners, who are members of the New Zealand Public Service Association, received what was described as an “unacceptable pay offer” and a “clawback of conditions”. Pharmac is responsible for deciding which medicines and medical devices are publicly funded in New Zealand – an important part of the country's healthcare system. To talk about the details surrounding the first-ever strike, Producer Max spoke with the Public Service Association's National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons.

A Kiwi start up has been going gangbusters across the ditch. Medsalv remanufactures single-use medical products, cleaning and disinfecting them so they can be safely reused. After eight years in business, their products have been approved by Pharmac for use in New Zealand. CEO Oliver Hunt told Mike Hosking it's been done in America for a while, but they're really bringing it to the rest of the world, Australia and New Zealand in particular, now. The range of products they can remanufacture is pretty substantial, he says, and they can clean products up to 14 times at a significantly lower cost than the original products. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's expectations weight-loss drug Wegovy will eventually be funded publicly, according to experts. It's become available from pharmacies under prescription - from today. It's not funded by Pharmac, and costs about $500 dollars per month. Auckland University population nutrition professor, Boyd Swinburn, says that is unaffordable for the public purse. "When the first generation of these drugs come off patent, their price will drop enormously and that will give Pharmac a chance to really negotiate the price." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The much hyped weightloss drug Wegovy, also marketed as Ozempic, is expected to be in high demand when it becomes available in New Zealand from tomorrow. But the drug is unfunded so users hoping to shed weight could be paying up to $500 a month. In 2023 Pharmac approved Wegovy, Ozempic to treat type two diabetes. In June this year it was approved for weight loss use. The once a week injection, which suppresses apetite mirrors natural hormones which regulate appetite. Weight loss specialist Doctor Gerard McQuinlan spoke to Lisa Owen.

The father of a boy using ADHD medication is rationing his sons medication because of drug shortages and is worried things will get worse when new prescribing rules are introduced. From next year GPs and specialist nurses will be able to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD. But there is a world-wide shortage of the drugs. Pharmac's website shows there's no stock for nine types of the drugs and low stock for two others. Half a dozen others have no supply issues. Auckland dad Craig has a ten year old son who takes one of the ADHD medications that has supply problems, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

The count-down's on for New Zealand chemist sales of weight-loss drug Wegovy. A pharmacist has told our newsroom the hunger-suppressing drug will be available on prescription from next Tuesday Novo Nordisk Oceania Senior Medical Director Dr Ana Svensson says the cost of the drug is expected to be around $500, as it's not funded by Pharmac. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Access is opening up for Kiwis to a weight loss drug described as a game changer. Wegovy, made by pharma-co Novo Nordisk, will arrive in pharmacies next week. It's not funded by Pharmac, so users will have to pay and get a prescription for the weekly injectable. Calocurb CEO Sarah Kennedy told Ryan Bridge that people need to be aware of both the cost of the drug and the side effect. She says that over 70% of people using Wegovy will have gastrointestinal problems that range from nausea to diarrhoea, and over 70% of people regain the weight within a year. Kennedy says lifestyle changes need to be made as well as taking the drug. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GPs and specialist nurses will soon be able to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD. At the moment they need the written recommendation of a psychiatrist or paediatrician to start prescribing medications for Attention Deficit Hyper Activity medications, and that can take months. Now Medsafe and Pharmac have announced a rule change. From next year GPs and nurse practioners will be able to diagnose and start adults on treatment. Dr Anna Skinner, the Chief Clinical Advisor for Primary Care at Health New Zealand spoke to Lisa Owen.

Doctors specialising in menopause have expressed relief following Pharmac's recent u-turn. Pharmac has announced it'll fund both the Estradot and Mylan brands of hormone replacement patches from December, after public consultation. It follows backlash in response to its decision to switch suppliers Menodoctor Clinical Director Dr Linda Dear says this is the news they needed to hear. She says it's good to have these options because one may work better for some women than the other - and added losing Estradot recently was devastating. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent review of Pharmac, also known as Te Pātaka Whaioranga,  has found their current approach not fit for purpose, calling for an overhaul of their strategy and internal culture.  The pharmaceutical management agency faced criticism last year as a result of a lack of credibility and inconsistency of services.  With the proposal this week to scrap Pharmac's Māori directorate, concerns were especially emphasised about the equitable outcomes for Maaori and Pasifika populations. While the aim of the independent review was to look into ways to improve the services of Pharmac, it found that staff were sceptical that any meaningful changes could occur. Producer Sara spoke with University of Auckland's Professor of Health Economics Paula Lorgelly about the review and what changes are necessary. She started by asking about the key findings

A recent review of Pharmac, also known as Te Pātaka Whaioranga,  has found their current approach not fit for purpose, calling for an overhaul of their strategy and internal culture.  The pharmaceutical management agency faced criticism last year as a result of a lack of credibility and inconsistency of services.  With the proposal this week to scrap Pharmac's Māori directorate, concerns were especially emphasised about the equitable outcomes for Maaori and Pasifika populations. While the aim of the independent review was to look into ways to improve the services of Pharmac, it found that staff were sceptical that any meaningful changes could occur. Producer Sara spoke with University of Auckland's Professor of Health Economics Paula Lorgelly about the review and what changes are necessary. She started by asking about the key findings

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Labour's Carmel Sepuloni about the government removing voting rights from prisoners and the strikes happening across Aotearoa for May Day today. For International Desk, they spoke to Aleksi Toiviainen, co-organiser for Vote16 Canada and a democracy advocate, about the recent Canadian election result.   And they spoke to University of Auckland Associate Professor Brendon Dunphy about the threats facing seabirds in Aotearoa and the recent Oceania Seabirds Symposium. For City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson about the Waitākere Ranges management plan She also spoke with Professor of Health Economics Paula Lorgelly about the latest review of Pharmac.

The Trump administration has hinted it could be looking into imposing tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported into the country. Pharmac has since claimed the impact of these tariffs is 'unclear' - as it's unknown how it would affect the price of medicines at this stage. Medicines NZ chief executive Dr Graeme Jarvis says it's too early to tell, and he doesn't want anyone to react too rashly. "Around 20 percent of pharmaceutical manufacture is done in the US, the rest of it they import from global supply chains around the world at the moment." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week has been a brutal reminder of how politics and politicians like to work and be seen. How important it is to be the centre of attention, to be seen to be ‘doing' - even if it's just for appearances and there's little evidence of a real productive outcome. Whether it's destabilizing global economic and trade order, championing legislation that's dead on arrival, or feeling the need to speak for 25 hours straight, it has definitely been a fascinating week in politics. But for all the attention seeking, polarisation and stoking of grievances, there's also been some good work going on. This week, David Seymour announced the weight-loss drug Wegovy has been approved by Medsafe, with its producer hoping to make it available in New Zealand as soon as possible. Wegovy is like the celebrity-championed Ozempic - it's a semaglutide injection that acts to regulate appetite by increasing the feeling of fullness and reducing food cravings. Unlike Ozempic, which is approved in New Zealand to treat type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is approved just as a weight loss drug. I've very much sat on the fence when it comes to these drugs - like many people, including author Johann Hari, who has used Ozempic and written at length about it in his best-selling book Magic Pill. He cites the many concerns around the use of this drug - including its wide availability in parts of the world, its impact on eating disorders, or those who don't really need it. Then there's the long list of side effects and the possibility you might need to stay on it for life to maintain your weight. And then there's the simple boredom of living life without an appetite. But if you use this drug selectively on people who have exhausted other means of losing weight and are facing serious health issues - it could be a massive game changer for our health system. It was a cardiologist involved in heart transplants who convinced me of the importance of access to drugs like Wegovy. She told me it could be the one thing which stops a heart transplant being the only option left for her patients. I've had GPs say to me that this could have a huge impact on reducing type 2 diabetes, orthopaedic issues, cancer, and strokes. They are not saying it should be available for every obese New Zealander - that would be 1 in 3 adults - but for patients with chronic complex conditions. But here's the thing - at this stage Pharmac is not funding the drug, and it is cost prohibitive. Wegovy is available in Australia, it costs NZ$497 per month for the recommended dose required to have the best weight management outcome. So, serious work needs to go into assessing the benefit a drug such as this could have on reducing the burden on our health system. If the benefits outweigh the costs, then it needs to be funded by Pharmac as soon as possible. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac's board chair says the drug buying agency has a management issue with listening to patient voices. A review of consumer engagement with the Government agency finds it's seen as 'defensive'. It also says Pharmac's slow to respond and lacks respect for patient advocates. Chair Paula Bennett says the organisation had become insular and inward-looking - more often than not. "And instead of proactively having what are really awkward and uncomfortable and difficult conversations with people when we're saying - I'm sorry, I can't fund your medicine. But at least doing that in an open and transparent way is what we expect." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Monday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) When Diplomacy Is Lost In Translation/Some Quite. Some Don't/Are We Over-Hyping Liam?/Hammer Time/Virtual Goodies Aren't That GoodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The controversial Pharmac CEO Sarah Fitt has resigned - the third health agency boss to go in as many weeks. She had a turbulent time at the top of the country's drug funding agency - with accusations she headed culture of contempt and disregard for patients. There were many calls for her resignation - including by Malcolm Mulholland from Patient Voice Aotearoa. Mulholland spoke to Lisa Owen.

The boss of the government's drug buying agency has resigned and will leave the job at the end of May. Pharmac Chief Executive Sarah Fitt has faced repeated calls for her resignation from both patients and health professionals with accusations that within Pharmac, she presided over a sick, snearing, and callous culture toward patients. Both David Seymour and the board chair Paula Bennett, both refused to express confidence in the departing CEO. Bennett spoke to Lisa Owen.

Sarah Fitt has resigned as the Pharmac chief executive after seven years. Last year a “short and sharp” review was undertaken into Pharmac's internal staff culture and relationships with patient groups, Chair Paula Bennet announced at the time. Fitt recently faced criticism for these issues. Pharmac chair Paula Bennett talks to Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Please explain is the message to Pharmac from its Minister, David Seymour. The drug funding agency has come under fire for switching suppliers for hormone replacement therapy for menopause, choosing to fund a brand many women say does not work for them. Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

A doctor prescribing HRT said a Pharmac decision to stop funding a brand of estrogen patches that many women believe works best for them could put live at risk and the drug funding agency has a moral and ethical duty to fund more than one choice for menopause treatment. Doctor Garsing Wong spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than 6000 women have signed a petition calling for Pharmac to keep funding their preferred HRT patches after they were blind sided by the agency's decision to change to a brand many say does not work for them. Following a shortage of estrogen patches, Pharmac has decided to switch the hormone therapy patches it funds from Estradot to Mylan by the end of next year. Pharmac Chief Executive Sarah Fitt spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Pharmac's decision to switch the brand of estrogen patches it funds has prompted a massive backlash from women who say it doesn't work for them. More than 1000 people have already signed an online petition calling the Government to keep funding Estrodot to treat symptoms of menopause. Ruth Hill reports.

Estrogen patches have been in short supply and this week Pharmac revealed it's changing suppliers for funded HRT patches exclusively to Mylan, from the end of next year. Meaning alternatives like Estradot patches, that many women find more effective, will no longer be subsidised. Westmere Pharmacist Samantha Tibshraeny spoke to Lisa Owen.

Pharmac is switching suppliers of hormone replacement patches for menopausal women, to a single brand that's unpopular and doesn't work as well for some. Menopause specialist Doctor Linda Dear spoke to Lisa Owen.

Increased restrictions for HRT menopause treatment, as Pharmac finds ways shore up supply of oestradiol patches. It's changing its main funded brand to Estradiol TDP Mylan from supplier Viatris from next July. In order to ensure supply, it'll be the only funded brand available by December 2025. Menodoctor Clinical Director, Linda Dear, says those who can't use the Mylan brand will have other options. "Most women who get on with other, non-Mylan brands will get on with gel fine - but it means they'll have to start probably thinking about that transition." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions have surged around the world - but there's concern from experts that we might be overdoing it. In New Zealand, prescriptions for the relevant medication have increased tenfold since 2006 and Pharmac has reported a 140 percent rise in demand for these medications. General Practice NZ chair Dr Bryan Betty says it's a complex diagnosis - and there are several conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms. "ADHD is very complex, there's a list of diagnostic criteria. It's really really important that assessments give a proper diagnosis, because the treatment can be life-changing - and it's really important to understand that. However, it can mimic a whole lot of other things." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A cancer patient relying on the kindness of strangers to fund life extending cancer medication wants to know why he's still waiting for Pharmac to deliver drugs the government committed to funding five months ago. After flip flopping on an election commitment; the government announced a 600 million dollar funding boost for cancer and other medications in June. It said seven of 13 drugs it promised on the election campaign would be covered and the others would be replaced by alternatives. Lung cancer drug Tagrisso or Osimertinib was supposed to be one of the first rolled out. It's a relief for former taxi driver and cancer patient Akhil Chaudhary; he's been funding an average of $1300 a week to buy the drug himself. But Pharmac is yet to make a decision on funding and Akhil is still paying, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

From today, Pharmac is to fund a new form of hormone replacement therapy, after years of campaigning by doctors and patients.

The drug-buying agency Pharmac is calling for funding applications for drugs to treat rare disorders ahead of its June 2025 review. About about 300-thousand people live with a rare disorder in New Zealand. Rare Disorders NZ Chief executive Chris Higgins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Blood cancer patients in their 40s and 50s are backing calls for Pharmac to overhaul its funding model and consider the wider costs of disease in funding decisions. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

From November 1st, Pharmac will fully fund Estrogel, which currently costs at least $40 a month. Professor Bev Lawton talks about the impact.

The first cancer drug funded through Pharmac's boost earlier this year is available from Tuesday. The Cancer Control Agency head Rami Rahal.

Many Kiwis will be feeling relief today as new Pharmac funded drugs officially become available. Continuous Glucose Monitors are now being funded alongside widened access to insulin pumps and consumables. Cancer drug Keytruda is also now more accessible. Cancer Society Chief Executive Nicola Coom told Heather du Plessis Allan that Keytruda will make a massive difference for those who've re-mortgaged their homes and travelled overseas for treatment. She said that its absolutely life changing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sick New zealanders are missing out top clinical drug trials because Aotearoa is already behind the pack when it comes to funding modern medicines, according some specialists. Many trials require would be participants to have access to what's known as "standard of care drugs", that's the best available medicines, to provide a comparison to the trial drug. A 2022 to 2023 Medicines New Zealand report said Aotearoa is on average twice as slow to publicly fund modern medicines as comparable countries, Haematologist Dr Rodger Tiedemann spoke to Lisa Owen.

On Friday the 13th September, Pharmac opened consultation for funding of the medication, Enhertu, for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. This comes following the $604 million funding boost allocated to Pharmac to fund and widen access to various medicines.  Trials have shown that the drug can reduce risks of breast cancer patients death by 27%. Producer Josef spoke to the Chief Executive of Breast Cancer New Zealand, Ah-Leen Rayner, about the drug's funding, and what more can be done for breast cancer patients.

The volume of people taking the new and effective weight loss drugs has grown so big that it's shrinking food portions in the US

Pharmac will get no more money in next year's budget unless David Seymour can deliver a major reform of the drug buying agency.

"The evidence is clear.' That's the word from outgoing Pharmac director Dr Anthony Jordan, who has quit the drug buying agency following a direction from Associate Health Minister David Seymour this week to stop factoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi into its decisions. Speaking to RNZ reporter Tu Natanahira this afternoon, Dr Jordan said he received the Government's letter of intent earlier this week.

Cancer doctors are welcoming the funding of 13 new cancer drugs, but say with potentially 175,000 cancer patients getting them in the first year, the system for administering them won't cope.

Pharmac has been told its "an inappropriate expectation" for the drug buying agency to be part of "embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi across the health sector." Associate Minister for Health David Seymour, the minister responsible for Pharmac - said its focus should be on delivering improved health outcomes underpinned by robust data and evidence, in accordance with its statutory responsibilities. Giles Dexter speaks to Susana Lei'ataua.