Decision to change the provider of national storage and distribution services for funded vaccines

Medicines Decision

What we’re doing

From 1 February 2026, the provider of national storage and distribution services for funded vaccines will change from Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Ltd t/a Healthcare Logistics (“HCL”) to DHL Supply Chain (New Zealand) Limited (“DHL”). The provider of regional storage and distribution services for funded vaccines will continue to be Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Ltd t/a ProPharma (“ProPharma”).

Why we’re doing this

This decision has been made following a competitive and open Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for storage and distribution services for funded pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

As part of the same RFP process, we requested proposals from suppliers for the storage and distribution of a range of community pharmaceuticals. No decision has been made on this aspect of the RFP at this stage.

Any changes to the original proposal?

This decision was subject to a consultation letter dated 8 December 2025. No changes have been made to the proposal following consultation.

Who we think will be most interested

  • Pharmacists (Hospital and Community)
  • Public Health Vaccinators
  • Suppliers and wholesalers
  • Prescribers
  • Vaccinators and vaccinator organisations
  • Immunisation Advisory Centre
  • Medsafe
  • Medicines Control
  • Public Health Agency
  • Health NZ

About storage and distribution

National and regional-level vaccines storage and distribution

Pharmac is responsible for forecasting and purchasing all funded vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Schedule (Immunisation Advisory Centre website)(external link). We contract third-party providers to deliver vaccine storage and distribution services at both the national and regional levels. As a result of this decision, DHL will provide the national-level service, while ProPharma will continue to deliver regional-level services.

These services are essential to maintaining a robust vaccine supply chain that supports the National Immunisation Programme. They contribute to the overall goal of reducing preventable diseases by ensuring vaccines are stored and distributed in a way that preserves their potency, supports continuity of supply, and promotes equitable accessibility for all eligible patients.

From 1 February 2026, DHL will be responsible for national storage and distribution services for funded vaccines. ProPharma will maintain its regional role, operating through five branches across New Zealand. Vaccines will be transferred from DHL’s national warehouses to ProPharma’s regional sites, where they will be stored and distributed to licenced immunisation providers upon request.

The Ministry of Health via Medicines Control will continue to manage audit and compliance for all service providers involved in vaccine storage and distribution, including cold chain compliance. DHL and ProPharma will work closely with Medicines Control and its agents to uphold these quality standards.

Pharmac oversees vaccine forecasting and ordering. A 24-month forecast is provided to suppliers, with firm orders placed six months prior to delivery. These schedules are also shared with the national storage and distribution provider. Pharmac pays suppliers upon delivery and release of vaccines to the national warehouse. Vaccines remain the responsibility of suppliers until they are released following a quality assurance process.

Further details on vaccine storage and distribution standards can be found in the National Guidelines for Vaccine Storage and Transportation 2017 (Ministry of Health website).(external link)

Vaccines currently included in scope

Pharmac manages the Pharmaceutical Schedule, including the listing of funded vaccines and their suppliers. These may change from time to time based on competitive processes and evolving health needs. As such, both the national and regional vaccine storage and distribution agreements include provisions to allow for changes in vaccine types and volumes.

The following funded vaccines are currently included in the scope of both national and regional-level storage and distribution services:

  • Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Vaccine
  • Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccine
  • Meningococcal B Vaccine
  • Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Vaccine
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio Vaccine
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Vaccine
  • Hepatitis B Recombinant Vaccine – Adult
  • Hepatitis B Recombinant Vaccine – Paediatric
  • Hepatitis A Vaccine – Adult
  • Hepatitis A Vaccine – Paediatric
  • Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) Vaccine [HPV]
  • Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccine
  • Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
  • Pneumococcal (PCV13) Vaccine
  • Poliomyelitis Vaccine
  • Rotavirus Vaccine
  • Varicella Vaccine [Chicken Pox Vaccine]
  • Varicella Zoster Virus Vaccine
  • Tuberculin (Mantoux Test)

Detail about this decision

National vaccine storage and distribution

From 1 February 2026, this service will be provided by DHL who will become the new national vaccines services provider. Under this agreement, DHL will manage the bulk storage of vaccines until they are ordered by the regional services provider, ProPharma.

DHL will ensure that arriving stock is promptly moved into cold chain storage and that vaccines remain viable upon receipt from suppliers.

Regional vaccine storage and distribution

ProPharma will continue to provide these services and would continue to supply vaccines to immunisation providers under the new agreement. ProPharma will provide regional vaccines services through five branches across New Zealand. Vaccine stock is transferred to these branches from the national vaccines services provider, DHL, where it is stored and distributed to licensed immunisation providers upon request. ProPharma monitors compliance with cold chain practices from dispatch at regional storages through to receipt by immunisation providers.

Transition arrangements

Pharmac staff have worked with DHL, HCL, and ProPharma to develop a transition plan that would ensure minimal disruption to vaccine suppliers, Health NZ hospitals, and licenced immunisation providers.

The transfer of vaccines stock from HCL to DHL would occur in the last week of January 2026. ProPharma would not be able to place orders with HCL during this time. We anticipate minimal impact on immunisation providers as ProPharma placed an order for in mid-January which we expect to provide sufficient cover until late-February. Note that ProPharma will commence placing orders from DHL the week of 2 February 2026.

Ongoing ordering process

Pharmac will continue to place regular quarterly purchase orders with vaccines suppliers for the funded market. Once suppliers have confirmed acceptance of purchase orders from Pharmac for the funded market, Pharmac will send a copy of purchase orders and the delivery schedule to the vaccine suppliers’ 3PL provider, either HCL or DHL.

  • For supplier(s) that utilise DHL’s 3PL services, DHL would receipt the vaccines and then transfer the stock into Pharmac’s inventory on the delivery date specified.
  • For supplier(s) that utilise HCL’s 3PL services, HCL would receipt in the vaccines. DHL will order the Pharmac-ordered quantity of stock from HCL, who would then receipt stock for the suppliers managed by HCL.
  • DHL will notify Pharmac upon receipt of stock into Pharmac inventory at DHL.

Our response to what you told us

We’re really grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation. A summary of the main themes raised in feedback, our responses to the feedback received, and changes we have made after listening to you are available on our notification webpage. 

Theme

Pharmac response

Change management and transition planning

Feedback highlighted the importance of implementation support and clear operational processes.

Request for clarity for more detail regarding ongoing operational processes.

Work is underway with DHL, HCL and ProPharma to support transition arrangements ahead of the planned 1 February 2026 implementation. A transition plan has been developed and shared with the relevant organisations.

Key contact details have also been shared with relevant organisations.

Feedback highlighted the importance of service providers having the capacity and capability to manage additional stock and urgent orders during outbreaks.  

Contractual arrangements are in place including requirements for both ProPharma and DHL to support additional vaccine capacity if required.

Feedback requested clarity about who would be responsible for auditing and compliance (including cold chain).

Medicines Control will continue to be responsible for audit and compliance (including cold chain) and will audit the providers’ facilities as part of maintaining their wholesaling licences.  

Feedback highlighted that changes to operational processes may increase costs and impact vaccine pricing.

Pharmac staff do not anticipate any direct cost impacts as a result of this proposal. Contractual provisions with vaccine suppliers manage pricing or supply risks.

Feedback highlighted the importance of the service providers having sufficient liability and damage prevention measures.

Contractual provisions are in place with both DHL and ProPharma regarding liability and damage prevention.

RFP process

The requirements in the RFP were unclear and ambiguous.

Pharmac staff consider that all proposals were assessed against the evaluation criteria outlined in the RFP.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Requested clarity about ongoing management of funded COVID-19 vaccine stock.

COVID-19 vaccine storage and distribution are outside the scope of this RFP process and are managed by Health NZ.

If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050.