Pharmac to Fund Ambulance Medicines Nationwide from 1 July

Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomed the decision, saying it will help ensure patients receive consistent care regardless of where they enter the health system.

New Zealand patients receiving emergency treatment in ambulances will soon benefit from a more unified medicine funding system after Pharmac confirmed it will take responsibility for funding ambulance medicines from 1 July.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomed the decision, saying it will help ensure patients receive consistent care regardless of where they enter the health system. The change follows a Government decision to transfer responsibility for ambulance medicine funding from Health New Zealand and ACC to Pharmac, the agency responsible for purchasing and managing medicines across the public health sector.

Seymour said the move would allow ambulance services and hospitals to access the same emergency medicines while also benefiting from Pharmac's expertise in securing medicines at competitive prices. For patients, the change is expected to create a smoother experience as they move between ambulance care and hospital treatment, with fewer differences in medicine availability across services.

Public feedback leads to expansion of medicine list

Before making its final decision, Pharmac carried out a public consultation process in March, seeking feedback from emergency service providers, healthcare professionals, patients and community groups. According to Seymour, the response was largely supportive, with many participants highlighting potential benefits for patient care, medicine supply and value for taxpayers.

The consultation also identified several medicines currently used by ambulance services that were not included in Pharmac's original proposal. Following that feedback, Pharmac expanded the list to better reflect real-world clinical practice. The additions include an extra 10ml size of water for injection, glucose injections used to treat severe low blood sugar, and heparin, a blood-thinning medicine commonly used when a heart attack is suspected.

Pharmac has also added pre-filled fentanyl syringes, which are used for pain relief and sedation in emergency situations, as well as Sofradex ear drops for treating ear infections. Two additional strengths of codeine tablets, 15mg and 60mg, have also been included to support pain management needs.

Focus on patient care and value for taxpayers

The Government says bringing ambulance medicines under Pharmac's control will improve coordination across the healthcare system while making better use of public funding. Pharmac already manages most medicines supplied through New Zealand's public health network, giving it significant purchasing power and experience in negotiating prices.

Seymour said extending that responsibility to ambulance medicines is a practical step that strengthens the overall health system and helps ensure taxpayer funding is used efficiently. Health New Zealand, ACC, Pharmac and ambulance providers are now working together to manage the transition before the new arrangements take effect in July.

The Government believes the change will improve consistency in emergency care while supporting a more streamlined and cost-effective approach to medicine purchasing across the public health sector. Officials say the reform is part of a broader effort to make healthcare services easier to access and ensure New Zealanders receive the right treatment when and where they need it.