53236 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 26 Nov 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	53236 (2025)
Question asked:	12 Nov 2025
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Associate Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon David Seymour
Answer received:	20 Nov 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_53236_2025
Document guid:	54798f17-31e3-4e30-a906-8011a17b2f4c

53236 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What was the total additional cost to Pharmac, if any, resulting from increased dispensing volumes due to the removal of the $5 prescription co-payment?

Hon David Seymour: The 2023/24 Vote Health Supplementary Estimates of Appropriations provided $45.580 million of additional funding to allow for an increase in demand for medicines resulting from the removal of the $5 prescription co-payments for all New Zealanders over the age of 14.