Pharmac is proposing to remove Māori and Pacific ethnicity equity criteria from access to important medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Read our media release for all the details.
These medicines help prevent serious complications including dialysis, amputations, heart attacks and early death. For many whānau, this is not an abstract policy issue it is about survival, quality of life, and equitable access to treatment.
Consultation closes at 5:00pm, Thursday 28 May 2026.
Te Tiratū is encouraging whānau, clinicians, providers and community leaders to make a submission opposing the removal of equity access pathways.
Use Our Free Submission Template
We have created a free submission template to make it easy for whānau to have their voices heard.
Simply:
- Download or copy the template
- Add your name and any personal comments
- Email it directly to Pharmac before 28 May 2026
Every submission matters.
Why This Matters
One of the largest Iwi Māori Partnership Boards in the country, Te Tiratū represents more than 121,300 Māori and is calling on Pharmac to immediately reconsider the proposal.
The ethnicity equity criteria were introduced in 2021 because Māori and Pacific peoples experience significantly higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, while also facing systemic barriers accessing medicines.
Te Tiratū Co-Chair Glen Tupuhi says:
“These medicines save lives and prevent devastating complications for whānau. Māori are diagnosed younger, become sicker earlier, and die sooner from preventable chronic illnesses. Equity pathways exist because the health system has not delivered equitable outcomes for Māori.”
Research and evidence presented through the Waitangi Tribunal Wai 2575 inquiry has already documented significant “prescription inequity” affecting Māori.
Te Tiratū is calling on Pharmac to:
- Retain ethnicity equity criteria for access to these medicines
- Release equity impact analysis publicly
- Demonstrate how Māori health outcomes will improve if criteria are removed
- Engage directly with Iwi Māori Partnership Boards and Māori health leaders
- Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations in medicines policy decisions
Add Your Voice Today
Help protect equitable access to medicines for Māori whānau.
Use the free template, add your name, and email your submission to Pharmac before 5:00pm Thursday 28 May 2026.