Pharmac’s 2025/26 budget may look impressive at $1.750 billion, but when you divide that across New Zealand’s population of 5.3 million, it equates to just $330 per person. That’s enough for a few boxes of Panadol, but not much more if you’re facing a serious illness.
Currently, around 3,800 medications are fully or partially approved by Medsafe for use in New Zealand. Yet fewer than 1,500 of these are actually funded by Pharmac. That leaves a significant funding gap, impacting thousands of Kiwis who rely on unfunded, often life-saving, treatments.
This is where health insurance with non-Pharmac drug cover plays a vital role.
You’ve likely seen stories of people turning to Givealittle or taking out second mortgages to afford essential medications. Sadly, it’s a growing reality.
While it’s great that 13 new cancer treatments were added to Pharmac’s funded list in late 2024 thanks to government investment, many critical drugs are still out of reach for everyday New Zealanders.
Protect Your Future
By investing in a health insurance policy that includes non-Pharmac drug cover, you ensure you’re not limited to that $330 share. It gives you access to a wider range of treatments, when you need them most.
Want to make sure you’ve got the right protection in place? Let’s chat, your future self may thank you for it.
www.dianamcintyre.co.nz
021888090
