Pharmac Updates
Plain-English summaries of every Pharmac funding decision — updated as they happen
✅ Reviewed by a Registered Pharmacist NZ | Last updated: May 2026 | This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
What is Pharmac?
Pharmac (Te Pātaka Whaioranga — the Pharmaceutical Management Agency) is the New Zealand Government agency that decides which medicines are subsidised for New Zealanders. If Pharmac funds a medicine, you typically pay only the standard prescription charge (currently $5 per item, or free if you have a Community Services Card or are under 14 years old).
Pharmac’s decisions directly affect which medicines New Zealanders can afford. When a new medicine gets funded, it can be life-changing for patients who previously couldn’t access it. When funding is declined or changed, it affects treatment options for thousands of people.
This page tracks every Pharmac funding decision in plain English — no jargon, no press release waffle. Just the facts about what changed and what it means for patients.
📌 This page is updated every time Pharmac makes a new funding decision. Bookmark it and check back regularly — or subscribe to the KiwiMeds Bulletin to get Pharmac updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Latest Pharmac Decisions
🩸 New Blood Cancer Treatments Funded — April 2026
Date announced: 9 April 2026
What happened: Pharmac announced funding for two new combination treatments for people with a specific type of blood cancer (chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma), and widened access to a third treatment in the same disease area.
What it means for patients: New Zealanders with this type of blood cancer will have access to more effective treatment options that were previously only available privately (at considerable cost). These treatments can significantly improve response rates and quality of life.
When it takes effect: Check with your haematologist or oncologist for the exact funding start date and whether you qualify.
🔬 Medicine Funded After Stem Cell Transplant — April 2026
Date announced: 8 April 2026
What happened: Pharmac announced funding for a medicine that helps reduce serious complications in patients who have received an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (a type of bone marrow/stem cell transplant used to treat blood cancers and other conditions).
What it means for patients: Stem cell transplants can be life-saving, but they carry the risk of serious complications including graft-versus-host disease. This funded medicine helps manage those risks, reducing hospital admissions and improving outcomes for transplant recipients.
🦠 Wider Access to Melanoma Medicines — April 2026
Date announced: 7 April 2026
What happened: Pharmac widened access to two medicines used to treat melanoma (skin cancer). This means more patients with melanoma will qualify for funded treatment.
What it means for patients: Melanoma rates in New Zealand are among the highest in the world. Expanding access to effective treatments is a significant step forward. If you or a family member has melanoma, speak with your oncologist about whether you now qualify for funded treatment.
⚖️ Wegovy and Mounjaro (Weight Loss Injections) — NOT Funded — February 2026
Date announced: 24 February 2026
What happened: Pharmac confirmed it will not fund Wegovy (semaglutide for weight loss) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management at this time.
What it means for patients: New Zealanders wanting to use these GLP-1 medicines for obesity/weight management will need to obtain them privately, which can cost $300–$500+ per month. Note: semaglutide is funded under a different brand (Ozempic) for type 2 diabetes — but not for weight loss alone. If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor about whether you qualify.
Why wasn’t it funded? Pharmac weighs the clinical benefit, cost-effectiveness, and available budget. Weight loss medicines are high-cost and would require a large ongoing budget commitment. Pharmac’s decision does not mean the medicines are ineffective — they have strong evidence — but rather that the funding criteria were not met at this time.
💉 New Iron Treatment Funded — February 2026
Date announced: 17 February 2026
What happened: Pharmac funded a new intravenous (IV) iron treatment for people who have experienced serious allergic reactions to existing funded iron infusions.
What it means for patients: Iron deficiency anaemia is common in New Zealand, particularly in women, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. IV iron is needed when oral iron doesn’t work or isn’t tolerated. Having an alternative option for patients who react to standard treatments is an important safety improvement.
🫁 Cystic Fibrosis Treatments Funded for Children — March 2026
Date announced: 11 March 2026
What happened: Pharmac announced funding for life-changing treatments for children with cystic fibrosis (CF). These are CFTR modulator therapies — a class of medicines that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis rather than just managing symptoms.
What it means for patients: This is a major milestone for NZ families living with cystic fibrosis. CFTR modulators have transformed outcomes for CF patients in countries where they are funded. Previously only available privately at enormous cost, this funding decision means NZ children with CF can now access treatments that significantly improve lung function, reduce hospitalisations, and improve long-term quality of life.
How to Stay Updated on Pharmac Decisions
There are several ways to keep up with Pharmac funding changes:
- Subscribe to the KiwiMeds Bulletin — we translate every Pharmac announcement into plain English and deliver it to your inbox. Sign up free here.
- Pharmac’s own website — visit pharmac.govt.nz/news for official announcements (note: these are written for health professionals and can be technical).
- Ask your pharmacist — your community pharmacist is usually the first to know when funded medicines change, as they receive notifications directly from Pharmac.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page summarises publicly available Pharmac announcements in plain English. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor for personalised advice about your medicines and whether you qualify for any funded treatments. Pharmac funding criteria can be complex — your health professional can check the full eligibility criteria for you.