12356 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

12356 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What arrangements exist to prioritise the distribution of medicines to patients with life-critical conditions such as insulin, anticoagulants, or immunosuppressants if pharmaceutical supply chains are disrupted?

Hon David Seymour: I am advised that officials from the Ministry of Heath are engaging with other health agencies to work through the impacts of fuel disruption on health services. This includes assessing any risks to the supply chain of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. I am further advised that Pharmac has contractual arrangements with suppliers to hold certain amounts of stock in the country. Typically, this is two months for medicines. If a suppliers’ stock fall below these levels they are contractually obligated to notify Pharmac.