Source: PHARMAC
Pharmac is working to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders, including those with the highest health needs. This includes Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people, women, and people living rurally.
“Health equity ensures everyone has fair access to health care and the opportunity to live well, regardless of who they are or where they come from,” says Director Equity and Engagement, Dr Nicola Ngawati.
Pharmac’s Equity Policy recognises that different people have different levels of advantage. Pharmac applies an equity lens when making funding decisions.
Our role under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 is to secure for eligible people in need of pharmaceuticals, the best health outcomes that are reasonably achievable from pharmaceutical treatment.
Some of the medicines we’ve funded recently are making a real difference for these groups. Below are some specific medicines and their reach for high needs health groups (from 1 October 2024 to 31 January 2026).
Palivizumab (RSV prevention)
Protects premature and high-risk infants from severe RSV illness. Māori and Pacific babies are more likely to need this treatment. Recipients by health group:
- Māori – 34.3%
- Pacific– 11.3%
- Female – 44.6%
- Rural – 15.7%
Triple inhaler (Budesonide + Glycopyrronium + Eformoterol)
Helps manage COPD, which impacts Māori up to 20 years earlier and causes death at five times the rate of non-Māori. Funded from 1 January 2025. Recipients by health group:
- Māori – 28.4%
- Pacific – 4.5%
- Women – 57.3%
- Rural – 24.1%
Insulin (Ryzodeg)
Diabetes prevalence among Māori and Pacific people is about three times higher than other population groups. Funded from May 2025. Recipients by health group:
- Māori – 24.1%
- Pacific – 19.3%
- Women – 48.8%
- Rural – 17.9%
Empagliflozen
This medicine helps reduce cardiovascular hospitalisation, slow kidney decline, and improve glycaemic control. Recipients by health group:
- Māori – 21.8%
- Pacific – 7.6%
- Women – 33.8%
- Rural – 25.7%
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)
From 1 December 2025, Pharmac began funding silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for the treatment and prevention of tooth decay. Dental cavities disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific peoples and people in areas of higher depravation.
Poor oral health can impact daily life and cause pain and embarrassment. Although SDF is in the early days of funding, its use is expected to reduce the need for hospital‑based dental treatment, remove cost barriers and improve wellbeing.
“We’re pleased that these statistics indicate our funded medicines are reaching those who need them most. We’ll continue to focus on increasing access to key medicines for these groups,” says Dr Ngawati.
“This work is extremely important. By reducing avoidable differences in health outcomes – we create a healthier New Zealand for everyone.”
Note: All figures are from the Pharmaceutical Collection dataset(external link) (as extracted and analysed by Pharmac).