From 1 July, Pharmac will fund medicines used by ambulance services, following a Government decision to transfer this responsibility from Health New Zealand and ACC.
The Pharmaceutical Management Agency says the change in how ambulance medicines are funded will support a more consistent and coordinated approach to emergency care across New Zealand.
Ambulance medicines have historically been funded separately, with providers purchasing the medicines they need using the funding they receive from HNZ and ACC.
With Pharmac already funding medicines used in hospitals and the community, this change means ambulance medicines will be brought into the same national funding approach.
Pharmac’s acting Manager of Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels said the change would support more joined-up emergency care across the health system.
“Most medicines used across the public health system are already funded by Pharmac, so it makes sense for ambulance medicines to be included as well,” she said.
“Bringing these medicines into the same national funding approach supports a more consistent and coordinated system for emergency care.”
Ms Pouwels said the change would not affect the care provided by ambulance services.
“This is largely a behind-the-scenes change to how medicines are funded and supplied. People won’t see any difference in the care they receive from ambulance services.”
“Over time, it supports a more consistent approach to how medicines are funded and supplied across emergency care.”
To support the change, Pharmac will introduce a new section of the Pharmaceutical Schedule to clearly set out which medicines are funded for ambulance use and where they should be ordered from.
Ms Pouwels said feedback from consultation had helped shape how the changes would be implemented.
“We heard strong support for bringing ambulance medicines into Pharmac’s funding, along with useful feedback on how medicines are supplied in practice.
“That feedback has helped us refine the list of medicines and make sure the arrangements work for ambulance providers and pharmacists.”
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed Pharmac’s decision.
“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.
“Pharmac already funds most medicines used across the public health system. They’re the experts, so now they’re responsible for ambulance medicines too.
“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.”
