53228 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

53228 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What work, if any, has been undertaken by Pharmac or the Ministry of Health to explore new partnerships or investment models to raise investment in medicines?

Hon David Seymour: I am advised by Pharmac that, as part of its strategic priority "Strategic Management of the Medicines Budget", staff are currently reviewing commercial approaches to funding new medicines. This work is outlined in Pharmac’s 2025/26 Statement of Performance Expectations and aligns with my 2025/26 Letter of Expectations, which directs Pharmac to make budget requests to support additional investment, including continuing to explore different ways of funding medicines. Pharmac is actively engaging with suppliers and international counterparts to explore how these approaches may be applied in a New Zealand context. This work has also supported recent budget requests, with a particular focus on capturing the wider societal benefits and savings associated with the funding of new medicines.