53224 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

53224 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What is the estimated annual value of wasted or unused medicines within Pharmac’s purchasing system?

Hon David Seymour: I am advised that the only wastage data Pharmac holds is on vaccines. The estimated vaccine wastage within its purchasing system for the 2024/25 financial year was 116,666 doses, with an indicative value of $1,726,961 excluding GST. This figure includes vaccines such as seasonal influenza, for which pricing is confidential, and therefore the actual net value is lower than stated. In addition, there was wastage of 119,290 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The price is confidential so the value cannot be disclosed. This level of wastage represents approximately 0.1% of Pharmac’s total medicines budget, which was $1.689 billion for that year.