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What arrangements exist to prioritise the distribution of medicines to patients with life-critical conditions such as insulin, anticoagulants, or immunosuppressants if pharmaceutical supply chains are disrupted? and 2 other questions

Answered 12356, 12360, 12361 (2026)
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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 12356

    What arrangements exist to prioritise the distribution of medicines to patients with life-critical conditions such as insulin, anticoagulants, or immunosuppressants if pharmaceutical supply chains are disrupted?

  • 12360

    What arrangements, if any, are currently in place to ensure continued delivery of pharmaceuticals to community pharmacies during a fuel disruption?

  • 12361

    What arrangements, if any, are currently in place with logistics providers to ensure continued delivery of pharmaceuticals to hospitals during a fuel disruption?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that officials from the Ministry of Heath are engaging with other health agencies to work through the impacts of fuel disruption on health services. This includes assessing any risks to the supply chain of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. I am further advised that Pharmac has contractual arrangements with suppliers to hold certain amounts of stock in the country. Typically, this is two months for medicines. If a suppliers’ stock fall below these levels they are contractually obligated to notify Pharmac.