Posted by Michael Wonder on 16 Oct 2025
PHARMAC cuts red tape to improve access to medicines for thousands of New Zealanders
16 October 2025 - PHARMAC is removing unnecessary renewal requirements for selected Special Authority medicines and products, making it easier for people with long-term conditions to access the treatments they need.
A Special Authority is a type of funding restriction used by PHARMAC to ensure that certain medicines are targeted to people who would benefit most from them. It sets out specific clinical criteria that must be met before a medicine can be funded.
From 1 December 2025, patients will no longer need to renew Special Authority approvals for:
- Insulin pump consumables and continuous glucose monitors for type 1 diabetes
- LAMA/LABA inhalers for respiratory conditions
- Epoetin alfa for chronic renal failure
- Budesonide capsules for Crohn’s disease and microscopic colitis
- Febuxostat for gout
