26 Sep 2023

Labour announces extra $1 billion for Pharmac

From Midday Report, 12:17 pm on 26 September 2023

The Labour Party is promising that if elected next month, it will boost Pharmac's budget by more than a billion dollars over the next four years.

The drug-buying agency already receives almost $1.5 billion a year.

Under Labour's plan, Labour leader Chris Hipkins, says they will provide an ongoing $180 million a year to ensure recently-added treatments can continue to be funded.

It will also pump an extra $50 million for new treatments from the 2024/25 financial year, rising to $100 million per year from 2026.

Labour's health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall spoke to Charlie Dreaver.