53235 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 25 Nov 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	53235 (2025)
Question asked:	12 Nov 2025
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	20 Nov 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_53235_2025
Document guid:	6a8543a2-f8b5-4e10-944d-359db779735e

53235 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: By how much did the total number of prescriptions dispensed increase from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, if at all, compared with the previous financial year, following the removal of the prescription co-payment?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that the total number of items dispensed through community pharmacies increased from 89.53 million items in 2022/23 to 93.27 million items in 2023/24. I am advised that the drivers of the increasing volumes include a growing and ageing population, Pharmac funding new medicines and widening access to existing medicines, and dispensing rule changes.