Concerns Raised Over Delays in Access to New Medicines in New Zealand

A new report has highlighted concerns that people in New Zealand may be waiting significantly longer for access to new medicines than patients in many other developed countries.

The review, which looked at access to innovative pharmaceutical medicines, found that some treatments can take seven to ten years to become available in New Zealand after approval. In comparison, patients in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom may gain access to the same medicines within six to eighteen months.

Experts say these delays often occur between the point when medicines are approved for safety and when they are funded for public use. New Zealand’s pharmaceutical funding system must work within a fixed budget, meaning difficult decisions are made about which medicines can be funded and when.

The report also noted that New Zealand spends a relatively small proportion of its GDP on outpatient pharmaceuticals compared with other developed countries.

Health professionals and patient groups say faster access to effective medicines could improve health outcomes, particularly for people living with cancer, rare disorders, and long-term conditions.

Several recommendations were outlined in the report, including increasing investment in medicines, improving transparency in decision-making, and strengthening engagement with clinicians and patient communities.

The Government has acknowledged many of the report’s findings and says work is ongoing to improve access to medicines for New Zealanders.

As medical innovation continues to advance worldwide, discussions around how New Zealand can ensure timely access to new treatments are likely to remain an important topic for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers alike.