9290 (2024). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Prime Minister

9290 (2024). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement “What we saw was time-funded—you know, a budget for Pharmac drugs, and what we’re doing is making sure that the money is there over the next four years”, and if so, how is the government’s 29 April Pharmac announcement not time limited?

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon: The Government has announced a permanent increase to Pharmac’s funding envelope. The cost of this programme – like all Government initiatives – is assessed over four years, but does not expire after four years.