Proposal to continue with the current provider for storage and distribution services for funded pharmaceuticals
What we’re proposing
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to continue using Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Limited trading as Onelink (“Onelink”) for the storage and distribution services of the funded pharmaceuticals; condoms, naloxone and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (“funded pharmaceuticals”).
This proposal is being made following an open competitive Request for Proposals (‘RFP”) to secure ongoing storage and distribution services for funded pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Following this process, we propose that Onelink would continue to provide storage and distribution services for the funded pharmaceuticals in scope of this process.
Under this proposal, Onelink would also be contracted to provide storage and distribution services for ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (“Harvoni”) and ribavirin. These services are currently provided by Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Limited trading as Healthcare Logistics (“HCL”). There would be no change to how these services are delivered, and we expect minimal impact for patients, pharmacies, or other stakeholders as HCL would continue to provide the services.
As part of the same RFP process, we requested proposals from suppliers for the supply of national and regional level storage and distribution services for funded vaccines. The outcome of this process was notified in January 2026(external link).
Consultation closes at 4pm Friday 24 July 2026. Feedback can be emailed to procurement@pharmac.govt.nz or you can complete our online form.
What would the effect be?
Onelink is the current provider of these services and would continue to supply funded pharmaceuticals to community health organisations under the new agreement. From 1 August 2026, community health organisations would continue to be able to order funded pharmaceuticals on a fixed ordering and delivery schedule as per current practice.
There would be no change to the existing ordering and delivery model for these pharmaceuticals or Harvoni and ribavirin. While Onelink would be contracted to provide storage and distribution services of Harvoni and ribavirin, the services would continue to be provided by HCL.
Onelink would be contracted to provide the services until 30 June 2028 with the option of two consecutive one-year renewals. Therefore, the agreement may run until 30 June 2030.
Why we’re proposing this
The current agreements for storage and distribution of funded pharmaceuticals, and Harvoni and ribavirin has reached the end of its term. To ensure continued delivery of these services, Pharmac has undertaken a competitive procurement process to identify the most suitable provider, and secure ongoing storage and distribution services for funded pharmaceuticals, and Harvoni and ribavirin.
Who we think will be interested
- Suppliers of NRT products, condoms, and naloxone
- Authorised NRT Providers
- The Burnett Foundation, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, Aotearoa New Zealand Sex Workers Collective
- New Zealand Drug Foundation
- Needle exchange service providers
- Infectious diseases specialists
- Health New Zealand
About storage and distribution
Storage and distribution of funded community pharmaceuticals
Pharmac has a lead role in managing national-level direct distribution arrangements for a range of funded community pharmaceuticals. Pharmac currently manages the arrangements for distribution of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, condoms, and naloxone to various community health organisations.
Onelink has provided distribution services for NRT products and condoms since July 2017 following a 2016 Request for Proposals for nicotine replacement therapy and condom bulk distribution and logistics services(external link).
This agreement initially covered two such arrangements:
- Organisations contracted by the Ministry of Health (now Health New Zealand) to provide smoking cessation services including prisons and Quitcard providers (“Authorised NRT Providers”) could order NRT products once a quarter
- The Burnett Foundation (formerly New Zealand AIDS Foundation), Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa (formerly Family Planning New Zealand), and the Aotearoa New Zealand Sex Workers Collective (formerly New Zealand Prostitutes Collective) could order condoms once a month
Naloxone was added to the agreement in December 2023(external link) allowing needle exchange services to access naloxone for the preparation of opioid overdose emergency kits following a reclassification of naloxone by Medsafe in April 2022(external link).
Organisations would continue to be able to order the relevant products directly from Onelink at no cost with Pharmac covering both the pharmaceutical and distribution costs.
These services are designed to make it easier for people to access these funded pharmaceuticals by providing alternative pathways for people to access them other than going to a doctor then having a prescription filled at a community pharmacy.
Storage and distribution of Harvoni and ribavirin
Harvoni and ribavirin are antivirals used to treat hepatitis C. Due to the high cost of these medicines, Pharmac utilises a direct to patient distribution model for their distribution rather than the standard pharmacy supply chain.
HCL has provided storage and distribution services for Harvoni and ribavirin since 2016. Under this arrangement, Pharmac is responsible for ordering Harvoni and ribavirin from the relevant suppliers while HCL is responsible for the storage, dispensing and delivery of Harvoni and ribavirin to a patient’s designated delivery point (usually a community pharmacy or medical centre).
To provide feedback
Send us an email: procurement@pharmac.govt.nz or complete our online form by 4pm Friday 24 July 2026
All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by Pharmac’s Board (or its delegate) prior to making a decision on this proposal.
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