- Hon David Seymour
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour welcomes Pharmac's decision to fund medicines used by ambulance services from 1 July.
This follows the Government's decision to transfer responsibility for funding ambulance medicines from Health New Zealand and ACC to Pharmac.
"This decision means no matter where a patient is located, their ambulance and hospital will have access to the same emergency medicines they need, and Pharmac can get those medicines cheaper," Mr Seymour says.
"In March Pharmac consulted the public, emergency services, and the patient community on these changes. It's important that patients and professionals have input on decisions which affect them.
"People supported the change. They said there would be benefits to patient outcomes, supply, and improve value for the taxpayer.
"During consultation Pharmac also heard that the list of medicines should reflect what is used in practice. In response, they added seven products currently used by ambulance services that weren't included as part of the initial proposal."
Following consultation Pharmac added the following to the list:
- Water for injection - added an additional size (10ml)
- Glucose injection - used for people who are very unwell and have low blood sugar
- Heparin - used as a blood thinner in cases of a suspected heart attack
- Fentanyl pre-frilled syringes - added for suitability and used as pain relief and sedation
- Sofradex ear drops - used to treat ear infections
- Two additional strengths of codeine tablets - used as a pain relief (the 15mg & 60mg)
"Pharmac already funds most medicines used across the public health system. They're the experts, so now they're responsible for ambulance medicines too," Mr Seymour says.
"This decision means ambulance medicines can be managed alongside medicines used in hospitals. For patients, that means a more consistent system as they move between ambulance and hospital care.
"Pharmac has a strong track record of getting value for money out of the health budget. Extending that approach to ambulance medicines is about making the system work better for patients while ensuring taxpayers are getting a good deal.
"Pharmac is working closely with Health NZ, ACC and ambulance providers to make sure the transition is seamless.
"We're making the system work better for the people it serves. This is another step in our plan to ensure can New Zealanders get the right care, in the right place, when they need it."
