ACT asks party leaders to put patients before politics

ACT is asking party leaders to consider backing the Party’s plan to close the medicines gap with Australia.

ACT Leader David Seymour and Health spokesperson Todd Stephenson wrote to each party leader on Monday last week. So far, New Zealand First have replied but have not committed to the policy or commented on it.

“This should not be a party-political issue," says Mr Stephenson. "New Zealanders with cancer, rare diseases, and other serious conditions should not have to wait for a change of government to find out whether they can get the medicine they need.

“New Zealand spends just 4.9 per cent of its health budget on medicines. Australia spends 12.2 per cent, and the OECD average is 13.3 per cent.

“Australia funds 142 modern medicines that New Zealand does not. Thirty-eight per cent are cancer medicines. Try explaining that to a Kiwi who has been told the treatment they need is available across the Tasman, but not here.

“ACT is asking every party to consider increasing the share of the health budget spent on medicines by one percentage point a year until New Zealand reaches Australia’s level in 2033.

“Under ACT’s plan, the medicines budget is estimated to reach $5–6 billion. The increase would come from future growth in the health budget, with no new taxes and no cuts to the existing health budget.

“Promises to fund medicines should be kept. We want parties to consider ACT’s plan because patients trying to plan their lives need certainty beyond the next election.

“No Kiwi should have to empty their savings or leave the country for medicines Australians already receive.

“Closing the gap would give more New Zealanders access to treatment sooner and help keep them out of hospital. It could mean more time and better lives for patients who are currently being told to wait."

Editor’s note:

A copy of ACT’s letter, sent to each party leader, can be found here.