Health Funding

The very idea of Pharmac presents a conundrum for the minister in charge, Act leader David Seymour

The reduction in funding for the pharmacy COVID-19 antivirals service will undermine community pharmacies’ ability to provide essential health services, writes Bay of Plenty Community Pharmacy Group president Stuart MacDonald

Minister of health Shane Reti claims he met with the minister of finance Nicola Willis and appointed a “specialist financial expert” in March due to concerns about Te Whatu Ora finances

News that the Government had done little legwork on its promise of cancer drug funding comes as no surprise to Auckland medical oncologist George Laking

Seven projects have received government funding totalling nearly $250,000 to maintain and promote the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)

Some general practices have already increased patient fees by 7 to 16 per cent from 1 July due to the anticipated 4 per cent capitation increase falling far short of covering cost pressures  

Pharmacy sector trailblazer Natalie Gauld has raised over $20,000 for Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand

The reduction in funding for the pharmacy COVID-19 antivirals service will undermine community pharmacies’ ability to provide essential health services, writes Bay of Plenty Community Pharmacy Group president Stuart MacDonald 

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon contemplated “working outside the Pharmac system” to implement the National Party’s election promise to fund 13 cancer treatments that were available in Australia, but not New Zealand

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH will axe 123 jobs as part of its latest round of cost-cutting.