Mastodawn

I have gone to war with Pharmac and I have worked alongside Pharmac as part of a reform process. I think it is an important agency, in fact it is critical for healthcare in NZ that it performs well.

Their health economics failed me of course, by indicating that the cost of my care was worth more than my life. The reason, and I shit you not, was that if I survived the proven and successful treatment options (and I would), I might live so long that I would end up costing the health system more as I grew old. Cheaper to let me die young.

The economic models used by Pharmac are outdated, are not humane, are poorly understood by staff, and fundamentally flawed by a very narrow focus on the constructed 'benefit' of a human life. Now, imagine training an AI on those models (and all of their past decision making).

Pardon my French, but fucking hell.

Article: Pharmac urged to use more AI

#Healthcare #NZPol #Pharmac

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pharmac-urged-to-use-more-ai-minister-david-seymour-says-it-will-make-entity-more-humane/JR5OH4TFCNFKXACLUKFKKEP2CU/

Pharmac urged to use more AI, minister David Seymour says it will make entity more ‘humane’

Pharmac says it will start small and 'build over time'.

The New Zealand Herald

ClareBear 💚

Jun 12

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/598021/targeting-diabetes-drugs-at-maori-and-pasifika-is-needs-based-specialist-says "I guess what I'm talking to you about is just letting the public know that there are political decisions that have been made that are influencing medical treatment, when the scientists and the clinicians at the coalface of New Zealand medicine are saying, 'No, this is not a good idea'." #nzpol #pharmac #diabetes

Targeting diabetes drugs at Māori and Pasifika is needs-based, specialist says

Cardiac scientists say they are being prevented by Health NZ over an objection to changes in the way diabetes treatments are funded.

RNZ

ClareBear 💚

May 22

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/596016/no-logic-to-pharmac-s-proposal-to-change-access-to-type-2-diabetes-diabetes-drug-doctor Pharmac please heed the doctors not the twerkers. #nzpol #pharmac #diabetes #meddlingministers

'No logic' to Pharmac's proposal to change access to type 2 diabetes diabetes drug - doctor

The changes would take drugs from Maori and Pasifika and give them to people who don't need them, and endocrinologist tells <i>Nine to Noon</i>.

RNZ

ClareBear 💚

May 20

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/595851/pharmac-proposes-removing-priority-access-of-type-2-diabetes-meds-for-maori-pacific "I think there'll be a lot of joint submissions against the proposal to remove the ethnicity criterion... it's non-Māori and non-Pacific who are actually aghast at this. The scientific community does not believe this is a warranted decision." #nzpol #pharmac #diabetes #healthinequities

Pharmac proposes removing priority access of type 2 diabetes meds for Māori, Pacific

Pharmac expects 10,000 more people will benefit from the changes, but the criteria which enables access to Māori and Pacific people would be removed.

RNZ

Bob LeFridge

Apr 11

Trump's stupid war has sparked medicine shortages in NZ. Pharmac's "Medicine supply notices" page shows all of the currently affected meds with details.

https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices

#NZ #Pharmac

Medicine Notices: Supply issues, discontinuations and brand changes

Brand changes, discontinuations and more.

Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | NZ Government

ClareBear 💚

Oct 23, 2025

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/576759/no-issues-found-with-popular-hormone-replacement-patches-ministry-of-health I’m assuming pullya benefit is way past menopausal issues and now concentrating on efficacy of viagara. #nzpol #estradot #pharmac

No issues found with popular hormone replacement patches: Ministry of Health

Medsafe investigated Estradot oestrogen patches after receiving multiple reports from users who say they are experiencing a lack of adhesion and efficacy.

RNZ

ClareBear 💚

Oct 23, 2025

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/576759/no-issues-found-with-popular-hormone-replacement-patches-ministry-of-health

file this

#nzpol #estradot #womenshealth #pharmac

No issues found with popular hormone replacement patches: Ministry of Health

Medsafe investigated Estradot oestrogen patches after receiving multiple reports from users who say they are experiencing a lack of adhesion and efficacy.

RNZ

ClareBear 💚

Oct 18, 2025

Pharmac wants to know what people think about this proposal. Feedback can be provided through Pharmac’s website until Thursday 30 October.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE2510/S00046/dental-treatment-proposed-for-public-funding.htm

#nzpol #dentalcare #Pharmac #haveyoursay