Pharmac
Aotearoa behind in funding modern medicines - specialists
Sick New zealanders are missing out top clinical drug trials because Aotearoa is already behind the pack when it comes to funding modern medicines, according some specialists. Many trials require… Audio
The huge impact of weight loss drugs
The volume of people taking the new and effective weight loss drugs has grown so big that it's shrinking food portions in the US Audio
Public system will struggle to administer new cancer drugs
Cancer doctors are welcoming the funding of 13 new cancer drugs, but say with potentially 175,000 cancer patients getting them in the first year, the system for administering them won't cope. Audio
Pharmac restricts diabetes drugs amid global shortage
Two drugs for type 2 diabetes are being restricted to only those already prescribed them, due to a global shortage. Audio
Pharmac and the keys to the drug cupboard
Secret lists and capped budgets - how does Pharmac make its drug buying choices? Audio
Proposal to allow pharmacists to provide childhood vaccinations
A proposal which would allow pharmacists to administer babies' six week, and three month, five month, and 12 month vaccinations is drawing mixed opinions from doctors. Te Whatu Ora and Pharmac's joint… Audio
75-year-old blood cancer survivor & cyclist Andy Sninsky
Fifteen years ago Andy Sninsky was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer Multiple Myeloma. Now aged 75, he's been cycling around the world for years raising money for research and New Zealand is… Audio
Supply problem forces fluoxetine rationing
Pharmac has ordered pharmacists to limit handouts of a drug used to treat depression and anxiety.
Midweek Mediawatch: A good news story gone bad
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about a media tussle with Pharmac, a so-called 'trainweck' interview by the broadcasting minister and two interesting… Audio
Changes to ADHD care overdue as more adults diagnosed
Changes to ADHD care under consideration by health officials are long overdue and will benefit a growing number of adults being diagnosed with the condition. Kathryn talks with ADHD NZ Chair Darrin… Audio
Can your height increase your risk of some diseases?
If you're taller than average, your genes may affect your risk for a variety of diseases, a new study suggests. We're discussing this new study and weight loss drugs this morning with… Audio
HIV and the road to zero new infections
The number of people diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand is at its lowest since the 1990s - but what more need to happen to reach the goal of zero new infections by 2025? Audio
Report finds Pharmac not acting equitably
A report into the drug buying agency Pharmac has found it has likely contributed to inequitable health outcomes for Māori, Pasifika, and people with rare disorders.
The Health Minister says it'll now… Video, Audio
Pharmac signs deal for new drug to fight Covid-19
Pharmac has negotiated to purchase another Covid-19 prevention and treatment drug.
The Weekend Panel with Sam Stubbs and Brigitte Morten
Joining us on the Panel this morning are Brigitte Morten and Sam Stubbs. They'll be discussing the Budget, how safe we feel in New Zealand, what Martin Bashir did, how much we pay our nurses, and the… Audio
Pharmac vows to do better on future drugs changes
Pharmac is vowing to do better at informing GPs when it switches drugs - usually to save money. The chief coroner has ruled the deaths of six people were not linked to a recent epilepsy medication… Audio
Protesters lie before Parliament, urging Pharmac fund boost
Lying down to demand action - in 11 towns and cities across the country, people made an impassioned plea for the government to double Pharmac's funding, and triple it within two years.
In the… Video, Audio
Money over lives - Pharmac's cost cutting drug switch
Pharmac's generic drug swap for epilepsy treatment saved $30 million over five years. But for some patients, the consequences were nightmarish. Audio
Epilepsy brand switch may have factored in deaths - neurologist
The strongest evidence yet that Pharmac's brand switch of epilepsy drugs may have been a factor in fatal seizures was heard at an inquest today.
The inquest is looking into the death of six patients… Audio
Pharmac review: Terms of reference not wide enough for some
The government is being warned it will have blood on its hands unless it reconsiders what the inquiry into drug-buying agency Pharmac examines.
The terms of reference of the long-awaited independent… Audio