Does he plan to lift funding for medicines to comparable levels with the OECD average, and if not, what specific actions is he taking, or planning to take, to make more medicines publicly funded for New Zealanders?

Answer

The Government does not intend to set medicine funding levels by reference to the OECD average, as international spending comparisons do not reflect differences in health systems or value for money. Instead, the Government is focused on improving access to medicines, on ensuring that New Zealanders get better access to medicines through more effective use of existing and new funding, and by improving the performance of the medicines system. These actions will deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders while maintaining fiscal discipline, and ensures the medicines system remains affordable.