Podcasts about Pharmac

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Today on the show... The new cancer drugs that are now available - the game changing investment by this Government into Pharmac that could save your life - the Cancer Society's new CEO Nicola Coom joins us Johnny Day is here to talk sport. And John Oliver sent last year's bird of the year - flying - as in it went massive. So what is your bird of the year for 2024… Nicola Toki from Forest and Bird is always fun and she joins us shortly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Questions to Ministers KATIE NIMON to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen about tax relief for New Zealanders? TODD STEPHENSON to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent reports, if any, has he seen on Pharmac's obligations to consider the Treaty of Waitangi in its decisions? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister of Climate Change: Does he agree with the Prime Minister's statement that "we are very confident we can grow the economy and deliver on our emissions targets and goals"; if so, is this consistent with the Climate Change Commission's independent finding released yesterday that "there are significant risks to meeting the second and third emissions budgets"? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has he made about making it easier to build houses in New Zealand? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his decision to appoint a commissioner to Health New Zealand, and does he agree that "challenges with the operating model and governance of Health New Zealand had been identified from the early days of its establishment, in large part deriving from a lack of transparency from the Board", as stated in a Cabinet paper from 22 July? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to ensure real consequences for crime? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Minister for Children: Does she stand by her statement regarding cuts to Oranga Tamariki that "There will be no financial impact and there'[ll] be no impact on the frontline services. This is a guarantee"? Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills: Does she stand by all her answers to oral question No. 10 on 30 July 2024, and oral question No. 5 on 8 May 2024; if not, why not? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister for Mental Health: What recent announcement has he made regarding the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund?

The final report from the abuse in state care inquiry is due to be published on July 24th at 4pm. The report will discuss historic and present issues of abuse in state care, particularly how it affects marginalised groups such as Māori, Pasifika, and disabled children and young people. The report will then provide a recommendation to parliament on potential policy or funding changes.  Additionally, last week, associate Health Minister and minister in charge of Pharmac, David Seymour, issued new instructions regarding the organisation's focus. Particularly notable in the instructions were discussions of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with Seymour  In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Katie Nimon about the abuse in state care inquiry and the government's advice to Pharmac. 

This week on The Wire... For Dear Science this week, we chatted to Professor Allan Blackman about plants not holding as much carbon as previously thought, low pressure making tea taste worse, and a giant millipede that was thought to be extinct.  In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Katie Nimon about the abuse in state care inquiry and the government's recent instructions to Pharmac.  He also talked to Associate Professor of Politics and International relations, Stephen Noakes, about New Zealand's relationship with China.  And he spoke to Professor Janet Hoek from the University of Otago about the implications of reducing the excise tax on Heated Tobacco Products.  And producer Josef spoke to Professor Emeritus Ralph Sims about the newly released draft of the second emissions reduction plan.

Producer Evie speaks to the ACT Party's Simon Court about the government's expectations for Pharmac in light of one of the directors stepping down. Wire host Sofia speaks to Professor of health economics in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, Paula Lorgelly, about last week's announced instructions for Pharmac.  She also speaks to Senior Lecturer in Screen, Audio and Journalism at AUT, Merja Myllylahti, about AI and New Zealand news in light of the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. Evie also speaks to Geopolitical Analyst from the University of Otago, Geoffrey Miller, about Joe Biden's recent decision to end his re-election campaign. Sofia speaks to spokesperson for Communities Against the Fast-Track, Augusta Macassey-Pickard, about Minister for Resources Shane Jones' undeclared meeting with mining companies about the fast-track And she also speaks to Lecturer at the University of Canterbury Faculty of Law, Rachael Evans, about courts using mana in judgements. 

Last week Associate Minister of Health, David Seymour, laid out his expectations for Pharmac for the upcoming year.  Some of what was in his letter of expectations has caused much public discourse - particularly the point in which Seymour says Te Tiriti o Waitangi shouldn't be considered in decision making at Pharmac.  Te Pāti Māori has called for Seymour to step down from his role as Associate Minister of Health, and one of Pharmac's directors, Anthony Jordan, has resigned from his role, saying the removal of Treaty principles from Pharmac did not align with his own morals and ethics.  Given the overwhelming evidence of poorer health outcomes for Māori, producer Evie spoke to the ACT party's Simon Court about the reasoning behind these expectations, and the party's feelings about the backlash.  

"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.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has directed Pharmac to stop factoring Te Tiri o Waitangi into its decisions. In a letter of expectation, the government urged the agency to focus on delivering health outcomes based on data and evidence. Former Maori Health Authority clinical lead Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen spoke to Corin Dann.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour wants more investment in cancer drugs and immunisation, and a role for patients in decision-making. He's told Pharmac to stop making Te Tiriti o Waitangi a focus, but that the agency still needs to apply a needs-based criteria. Former Maori Health Authority clinical lead, Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen earlier told Morning Report that was disappointing. David Seymour did not respond to our invitation to come on the programme. Pharmac Board Chair Paula Bennett spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The goverment has sent a letter of expectations to the drug-buying agency, urging it to prioritise cancer drugs and immunisation - and to be more transparent. Earlier in the programme, we spoke to Pharmac Board Chair Paula Bennett ..said the new system changes will make a small differene and instead provide more opportunity to deliver medicine for all New Zealanders, rather than using "background as a measure of need". Patient Voice Aotearoa Chair Malcolm Mulholland spoke to Corin Dann.

On today's episode, the Government's draft emissions reduction plan has been released this morning, laying out how it will meet greenhouse gas limits on the way to reaching net-zero carbon emisisons by 2050, Associate Health Minister David Seymour wants more investment in cancer drugs and immunisation, and a role for patients in decision-making and has told Pharmac to stop making Te Tiriti o Waitangi a focus, but that the agency still needs to apply a needs-based criteria, and the Treasury and the Ministry of Transport actively encouraged the incoming government to scrap the iReX ferry project,both having secretly mistrusted KiwiRail's data for years.

The 1st of October is the soonist Pharmac says it will be able to get much-needed cancer drugs available to people who need them following the announcement they'll be getting a 600 million dollar cash injection from the government, Pharmac CEO Sarah Fitt speaks to Susana Lei'ataua.

As part of the ongoing discussions around the government's recent decision to boost Pharmac funding for select drugs and cancer treatments - Oto spoke to Paula Lorgelly, professor of Health Economics and Population Health at the University of Auckland, for her perspective on the announcement as an economist.

The government recently announced it would increase funding to the New Zealand Pharmaceutical agency, also known as Pharmac, by $604 Million over the next four years to fund the treatment of 54 new drugs, 13 of which are cancer treating medication.  The announcement comes after the government experienced widespread backlash when cancer treatment funding was left out of the annual budget announcement made last month, going against Nationals promise during the general elections to increase funding for cancer treatments.  For their weekly catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez-March to discuss the party's take on the government's recent announcement and decision.  They also talked about the government's introduction of a new sentencing Category for Young Offenders and the implementation of check-in requirements for Jobseeker beneficiaries.

It's estimated the 600 million government funding boost will mean Pharmac can fund about 26 new cancer treatments and 28 other treatments, however, up to seven from the campaign list could make the cut, chief executive of the Cancer Foundation, Rachel Hart speaks to Lisa Owen.

The government has annouced a 600 million dollar cash infusion for drug buying agency Pharmac for over 4 years, but despite this, National still can't deliver on its promised list of 13 specific cancer drugs, Health Minister Doctor Shane Reti speaks to Lisa Owen.

For Dear Science this week, we chatted to Professor Allan Blackman chats to us about the environmental impact of green hydrogen, chimpanzees using drugs, and the 3 Nobel laureates born today.  Wire host Castor spoke to the National Party's Tom Rutherford about the government's proposed military style bootcamps for youth offenders and public sector job cuts.  Castor also spoke to chief executive of the Breast Cancer Foundation, Ah-Leen Rayner, about the government's cancer drug announcements and what they mean for cancer patients.  Producer Elle spoke to the Chair of Patient Voice Aotearoa, Malcolm Mulholland about Pharmac's recent funding for cancer medication. 

As part of their pledge to fund 13 new cancer drugs the coalition government has given Pharmac at least $600 million. This is welcome news to the 330,000 patients that are currently on the waiting list for medicines on Pharmac's Options for Investment List. I spoke to the chair of Patient Voice Aotearoa about the current state of Pharmac's process, funding and what other reforms are needed on top of the recent changes.  Patient Voice Aotearoa is a collective of patients, caregivers, whanau, advocates and charitable organisations that campaign for the rights of New Zealand patients. I began by asking about the state of Pharmac funding prior to the developments.

As the government comes under increasing pressure for backtracking on an election promise to fund 13 cancer drugs.