16936 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 06 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	16936 (2026)
Question asked:	21 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Associate Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon David Seymour
Answer received:	30 Apr 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_16936_2026
Document guid:	b33ead2c-4685-4298-90c4-07df1f0c1491

16936 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: Further to reply 12358 (2026), which specific essential medicines funded by Pharmac currently have less than the typical two-month domestic stock level, if any?

Hon David Seymour: I am advised Pharmac regularly manages between 60-80 medicine supply issues (where stock at the supplier is reported to be less than 2 months) at any one time, with the majority of these avoiding patient-level impact. If a supply issue is likely to have a patient impact information to support prescribers, pharmacies and patients is communicated through targeted communications and publication on the Pharmac website: https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices