Pharmac to Fund Two Oestradiol Patch Brands After Patient Feedback

“The redirection of Pharmac remains positive and continues towards a more adaptable and patient-centred approach to funding medicines,” Seymour affirmed.

In a significant shift towards a more inclusive and responsive healthcare model, Pharmac, New Zealand’s pharmaceutical management agency, has announced it will fund two brands of oestradiol patches—Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan—starting December 2025.

This decision follows public outcry and stakeholder feedback over the previous move to fund only the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand, which many patients reported was not effective for them. Associate Health Minister David Seymour emphasized that the decision reflects a broader change in how Pharmac interacts with the public and healthcare professionals, aligning with a patient-centric policy direction.

Responding to Patients' Concerns

The initial backlash in late 2024 centered on the perception that patients had not been adequately consulted before Pharmac announced the brand switch. Many users of oestradiol patches—used primarily for managing menopausal symptoms—experienced negative outcomes with the TDP Mylan brand and demanded options.

"Pharmac received significant feedback at the end of last year about the decision to move to Estradiol TDP Mylan as the only funded brand. They heard very clearly that the TDP Mylan patch did not work for everyone, and that people wanted options,” Seymour stated.

He added that the agency's reversal and willingness to fund both brands demonstrate its commitment to a “more adaptable and patient-centric approach” to funding medicines.

A New Standard for Engagement

Pharmac's revised approach includes a strengthened consultation process within its annual tender procedure. Going forward, stakeholders—including patients, caregivers, clinicians, advocacy groups, and even petition leaders—will be given an earlier opportunity to share their views when a brand change is considered.

This change comes in response to Seymour’s 2024 letter of expectations to Pharmac, which called for more structured engagement with patients and their support systems. The letter was part of the ACT-National Coalition Agreement, which emphasized health sector reforms focused on patient empowerment.

“The community let Pharmac know that they weren’t consulted enough on the original decision. Pharmac has learnt from this, and has added an additional consultation step to its annual tender process,” Seymour said.

Collaboration Across the Health Sector

In developing the new funding decision, Pharmac worked closely with a broad coalition: menopause specialists, primary care physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and health advocacy organizations. This collaborative decision-making model is being hailed as a potential blueprint for future pharmaceutical procurement and policy changes in New Zealand.

The Pharmac Consumer Engagement Workshop Report also contributed to shaping this revised framework, highlighting the need for more inclusive, transparent, and responsive engagement with medicine users.

Financial Prudence with a Human Focus

While Seymour praised the patient-first approach, he also underlined the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline. The annual tender process—Pharmac’s core mechanism for managing pharmaceutical costs—achieves between NZ$30 million to NZ$50 million in savings annually by inviting suppliers to compete for the right to be main providers of selected medications.

By balancing cost-saving strategies with enhanced stakeholder engagement, the government aims to ensure New Zealanders have access to effective treatments that work for them—without sacrificing financial sustainability.

Looking Ahead

“The redirection of Pharmac remains positive and continues towards a more adaptable and patient-centred approach to funding medicines,” Seymour affirmed.

With Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan both available from December 2025, patients will now have the option to choose the treatment that best suits their individual needs—a tangible outcome of policy reform and public advocacy working in tandem.