12357 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

12357 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: Does New Zealand hold strategic reserves of any medicines, and if so, which medicines are covered and what quantity is held?

Hon David Seymour: I am advised Pharmac has contractual arrangements with suppliers to hold certain amounts of stock in the country. Typically, this is two months for medicines. Pharmac does not own the stock for the medicines that it funds, excluding vaccines. Pharmac manages the forecasting, ordering, and distribution of funded vaccines (excluding COVID-19 Vaccine). Depending on the vaccine, they usually hold between 4 and 6 months’ stock at any time. For many vaccines, deliveries are received every month.