What instructions, expectations, or directions, if any, has the Minister communicated to Pharmac regarding the use of ethnicity-based criteria in medicine funding decisions?

Answer

I have not specifically instructed Pharmac on the use of ethnicity-based criteria in medicine funding decisions, other than through my 2025 Letter of Expectations, where I asked Pharmac to give effect to the Cabinet Circular (24), which sets out the Government’s expectations regarding needs-based service provision. This requirement applies to all Government agencies.