Patient Voice Prompts New Medicines Funding

7 May 2017

Medicines New Zealand is pleased that the New Zealand Government has today announced an additional investment of $60 million towards new medicines.

“This announcement shows the Government sees value in the investment into innovative medicines and is intent on making in-roads into reducing the medicines waiting list”, said Hon Heather Roy, Medicines New Zealand Chair.

“Patients have been waiting for 94 prescription medicines on the waiting list and some medicines have been there for almost a decade. If the Government invested at a level of $40 for every New Zealander, then this medicines waiting list would be fully funded.”

“New prescription medicines are cost-effective investments which deliver savings upstream in the health system as well as significantly contributing to patients’ quality of life” said Dr Graeme Jarvis, Medicines New Zealand General Manager.

“Medicines New Zealand has long advocated for all patients to be given access to the right medicines at the right time. This increased funding is a step in the right direction.”

END

© Scoop Media