Decision not to proceed with proposed changes to Options for Investment list

Respondents wanted the proposal to align with the Pharmac Reset Programme and improvements to the current process

We’ve listened carefully and appreciate the time and thought that went into this feedback.

At this stage, we are not proposing any changes to how we manage the OFI list.

Improving transparency and timeliness of the medicine funding application process remains a focus for Pharmac and our Consumer and Patient Working Group.

Broader work is now underway as part of the Reset Programme, focusing on improvements to the current process and potential future changes.

We are committed to engaging meaningfully with consumers, clinicians, suppliers, and the wider public. If a new proposal comes from this work, we will consult again.

Respondents wanted medicines to stay on the list to maintain hope for future funding and access.

We understand that declining items from the Options for Investment list would be disappointing to the people who need them and the people who care about them.

We have heard that while removing items from the OFI may improve transparency around Pharmac’s processes and whether or not a medicine may be funded it is not an appropriate solution to this challenge.

At this stage, we are not proposing any changes to how we manage the OFI list.

We are committed to engaging meaningfully with consumers, clinicians, suppliers, and the wider public on our work to bring greater clarity and transparency to how we manage medicine funding applications on the Options for Investment (OFI) list.(external link)

If a new proposal comes from this work, we will consult again.

Respondents wanted the OFI list to be an accurate reflection of what medicines still need to be funded and be used to help secure more funding.

We appreciate the time and thought that went into providing this feedback to us. We understand that OFI has an important role to play in recording the medicines that New Zealanders would like to be funded.

At this stage, we are not proposing any changes to how we manage the OFI list.

Respondents wanted decisions to be based on how well a medicine works and the most up to date evidence – not where a medicine is ranked on the OFI.

We appreciate the time and thought that went into this feedback.

We understand that people would like all effective medicines to be funded for New Zealanders who need them. Pharmac manages a fixed budget set by the Government and decides which treatments will be funded.

Our job is to get the best health outcomes from treatments for New Zealanders, while staying within the fixed budget the Government sets. This means we must make difficult decisions about which treatments we will fund – there will always be more treatments we want to fund than we can afford.

The OFI list helps us understand where any available budget should be spent.

At this stage, we are not proposing any changes to how we manage the OFI list.

Respondents asked for clear public information about where each medicine sits on the OFI list and why.

We understand that people would like to know where the medicines they would like to be funded are ranked on the OFI so they can better understand the likelihood of funding.

The position of applications on the OFI is some of the most confidential information held by Pharmac. It is one of Pharmac’s most important tools for negotiating funding arrangements with suppliers.

We keep the actual rankings on the list confidential for commercial reasons. This ensures we can continue to negotiate the best prices for medicines so more New Zealanders can access the medicines they need.

An alphabetical list of medicines on the OFI list is available on our website.

Options for Investment (OFI) list(external link)

Respondents wanted assurance that any changes to how we manage the OFI do not disadvantage Māori, Pacific peoples, rural communities, or those with rare disorders.

In line with Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 and the Government Policy Statement on Health, we are committed to protecting, promoting, and improving the health of all New Zealanders including Māori, Pacific peoples, rural communities, and people with rare disorders.

We will continue to work with our partners across the health sector, including Health NZ, the Ministry of Health, and specialist services, to ensure that any initiatives improve health outcomes for all, including priority populations.

Pharmac has just released its updated Equity Policy. This outlines our commitment to achieving equitable health outcomes for all New Zealanders, including those with the highest health needs.