Seymour Welcomes White Paper from Valuing Life Medicines Access Summit

"We welcome the White Paper as an essential call to action for improving access to medicines for all Kiwis," stated Minister Seymour.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced his support for the Valuing Life Medicines Access Summit White Paper, delivered by Patient Voice Aotearoa (PVA). This paper highlights the ongoing need for improved access to medicines in New Zealand and provides ten key recommendations to shape a patient-centered medicines strategy.

PVA, an organization dedicated to giving patients a unified voice, plays a critical role in advocating for better healthcare policies. By working closely with stakeholders like Pharmac and the broader health sector, PVA strives to ensure patients' rights and healthcare access are prioritized.

"We welcome the White Paper as an essential call to action for improving access to medicines for all Kiwis," stated Minister Seymour. The White Paper stems from the Medicines Summit held in April 2024, co-facilitated by PVA and Medicines New Zealand. The summit served as a forum for patients, clinicians, and policymakers to address the current gaps in medicine accessibility and develop a forward-looking strategy.

The Government’s Commitment to Better HealthcareMinister Seymour emphasized that the Government remains committed to addressing healthcare challenges and enhancing patient outcomes. The acceptance of the White Paper symbolizes the government's ongoing efforts to listen to patients across New Zealand.

"For many New Zealanders, access to life-saving medicines is not just a matter of convenience; it's about life or death, or determining whether they endure constant pain or live freely," Seymour explained. Recognizing the critical importance of pharmaceutical funding, the Government has already allocated the largest-ever budget for Pharmac, amounting to $6.294 billion over four years. This allocation includes an additional $1.8 billion in funding to address previous shortfalls and a further $604 million uplift to ensure that more life-changing medicines reach New Zealanders in need.

Pharmac’s Role and Challenges Ahead

Minister Seymour acknowledged that Pharmac now faces a significant responsibility, especially in the current challenging fiscal climate. "We must ensure that resources are prioritized effectively so that Pharmac can continue to fulfill its core mission—procuring essential medicines for those who need them most."

In his letter of expectations, Minister Seymour outlined the need for Pharmac to work collaboratively with patients, healthcare professionals, and suppliers to improve overall health outcomes. "I have made it clear that Pharmac should base its decisions on robust data and evidence while partnering with all key stakeholders to improve New Zealand's health system," he stated.

While progress has been made, the Minister emphasized the need for continued focus on addressing the policy issues raised during the Medicines Summit. The summit highlighted the need for policy adjustments to keep pace with advancements in medicine and changing patient needs.

Looking AheadMinister Seymour expressed his enthusiasm for ongoing collaboration with PVA and other health sector stakeholders. "I look forward to continued engagement to ensure that patients’ voices are heard and reflected in future policy decisions." The White Paper, he noted, marks a significant step toward a more patient-centered and accessible healthcare system for all New Zealanders.

This Government’s actions signify a commitment not only to making medicines more accessible but also to ensuring that patients are at the heart of healthcare decisions in New Zealand.