Pharmac has launched a public consultation to broaden eligibility and streamline the distribution of COVID-19 antiviral medications. The proposed changes aim to ensure timely access for individuals aged 50 and above, classified as high-risk, enhancing their protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Expanded Eligibility Criteria
Geraldine MacGibbon, Pharmac’s Director of Pharmaceuticals, revealed intentions to revise the high-risk classification. By including more people aged 50 or older, the initiative seeks to extend antiviral benefits to a larger segment of the population at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infections.
Optimized Funding and Supply Chain
The proposal includes shifting from Pharmac’s initial approach of purchasing antivirals directly. Instead, pharmacies and Health NZ hospitals will place orders via wholesalers and reimburse Pharmac, aligning the antiviral management with existing medicine funding processes in New Zealand.
– Broader eligibility may reduce hospital admissions among older adults.
– Enhanced supply chain efficiency ensures antivirals are readily available.
– Integration with standard funding procedures may decrease administrative complexity.
– Transition challenges for healthcare providers adapting to new ordering protocols.
These adjustments are positioned to create a more inclusive and efficient framework for distributing COVID-19 antiviral treatments. By inviting public input through the consultation period ending on May 30, Pharmac aims to refine these changes to better meet the needs of the high-risk population. If approved, the new system will be operational by September and October 2025, promising improved healthcare delivery for those most vulnerable to COVID-19 complications.
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