Pharmac's record funding-boost will fill a fiscal hole to ensure it can keep funding the treatments currently on offer.

The drug-buying agency is being promised an additional $1.7 billion over four years in the upcoming Budget.

Medicines NZ Chief Executive, Graeme Jarvis told Mike Hosking that without it, some patients would have lost out on medicines paid for by time-limited funding.

He says while it sounds like a lot of money, it's being spread over four years and simply keeps things as they are.

LISTEN ABOVE  

Pharmac's record funding-boost will fill a fiscal hole to ensure it can keep funding the treatments currently on offer. 
The drug-buying agency is being promised an additional $1.7 billion over four years in the upcoming Budget. 
Medicines NZ Chief Executive, Graeme Jarvis told Mike Hosking that without it, some patients would have lost out on medicines paid for by time-limited funding. 
He says while it sounds like a lot of money, it's being spread over four years and simply keeps things as they are. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition on Newstalk ZB.

Don't risk not knowing what's going around New Zealand and the world - catch up with interviews from Early Edition, hosted by Kate Hawkesby on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition on Newstalk ZB

Graeme Jarvis: Medicines NZ CEO on the impact of the $1.7 billion funding boost for Pharmac

Joe Biden and Donald Trump go live in Atlanta tomorrow afternoon, New Zealand time.

The televised US election debate is the earliest in the campaign since 1960, with Americans going to the polls in just over four months.

It's the third time the US President and the former President will go head to head after two heated encounters in 2020. 

The Spectator's Washington Editor Amber Athey  says the debates don't have as much sway on voters as most pundits would like to believe they do. 

She told Mike Hosking that this one will mostly be about showing who's physically and mentally fit to be President.

Athey says so long as you can get through it relatively successfully, not much will change where voters stand on the candidates.

LISTEN ABOVE

Joe Biden and Donald Trump go live in Atlanta tomorrow afternoon, New Zealand time. 
The televised US election debate is the earliest in the campaign since 1960, with Americans going to the polls in just over four months. 
It's the third time the US President and the former President will go head to head after two heated encounters in 2020.  
The Spectator's Washington Editor Amber Athey  says the debates don't have as much sway on voters as most pundits would like to believe they do.  
She told Mike Hosking that this one will mostly be about showing who's physically and mentally fit to be President. 
Athey says so long as you can get through it relatively successfully, not much will change where voters stand on the candidates. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Amber Athey: Spectator's Washington Editor on the upcoming debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump

Two astronauts are likely to remain stuck in space into July. 

Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams were supposed to return on the Boeing Starliner about two weeks ago after an eight day stint in space. 

US Correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that there have been several issues including malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks. 

She says we're being told they have plenty of supplies, and worst case they can hitch a ride on Space X's Dragon Space Craft which is also attached to the International Space Station.

Firkin says it's not great news for Boeing, when it comes to their PR.

LISTEN ABOVE

Two astronauts are likely to remain stuck in space into July.  
Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams were supposed to return on the Boeing Starliner about two weeks ago after an eight day stint in space.  
US Correspondent Katherine Firkin told Mike Hosking that there have been several issues including malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks.  
She says we're being told they have plenty of supplies, and worst case they can hitch a ride on Space X's Dragon Space Craft which is also attached to the International Space Station. 
Firkin says it's not great news for Boeing, when it comes to their PR. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Katherine Firkin: US Correspondent says Boeing's astronauts are likely to remain stuck in space into July

There’s uncertainty over whether Corrections has capacity, with more prisoners on the way. 

The Government's sentencing law reforms will mean longer sentences and up to 1700 more inmates every year. 

Corrections Association's Floyd du Plessis says the prisons are currently full, and while there are more beds in theory, they aren't adequately staffed for them yet. 

He told Mike Hosking that more applications are coming through for corrections roles, but the number of viable candidates isn't where it needs to be. 

du Plessis says there needs to be more focus on getting real people through the door and into employment.

LISTEN ABOVE

There’s uncertainty over whether Corrections has capacity, with more prisoners on the way.  
The Government's sentencing law reforms will mean longer sentences and up to 1700 more inmates every year.  
Corrections Association's Floyd du Plessis says the prisons are currently full, and while there are more beds in theory, they aren't adequately staffed for them yet.  
He told Mike Hosking that more applications are coming through for corrections roles, but the number of viable candidates isn't where it needs to be.  
du Plessis says there needs to be more focus on getting real people through the door and into employment. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Graeme Jarvis: Medicines NZ CEO on the impact of the $1.7 billion funding boost for Pharmac

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