The alarm is being sounded about a future drop off in Pharmac funding.

A boost for the drug buying agency announced in Budget 2022- ends in 2024.

Medicines NZ Chief Executive Graeme Jarvis wants the major parties to commit to continuing the money.

He says if the gap isn't filled, Treasury is warning there will be years where it won't be possible to keep funding the same medicines.

"So in other words, there's going to have to be either a reduction in the number of medicines funded- or patients won't get access to them if we do not fund this $181 million dollar hole."

LISTEN ABOVE

The alarm is being sounded about a future drop off in Pharmac funding.
A boost for the drug buying agency announced in Budget 2022- ends in 2024.
Medicines NZ Chief Executive Graeme Jarvis wants the major parties to commit to continuing the money.
He says if the gap isn't filled, Treasury is warning there will be years where it won't be possible to keep funding the same medicines.
"So in other words, there's going to have to be either a reduction in the number of medicines funded- or patients won't get access to them if we do not fund this $181 million dollar hole."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.