Associate Professor Dr Ryan Paul, a clinician and technical expert advisor to Te Tiratū, explains why ethnicity should be a criterion for access to funded medications in Aotearoa New Zealand. [This think piece also appeared in The Post and The Press]
He says it is important to look at the evidence objectively. Māori and Pacific peoples are at least 2–3 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, acquire complications, and die prematurely from those complications than other New Zealanders.
“Pharmac’s volte-face to then remove the ethnicity criterion suggests that it was either ineffective or unfair, yet no public impact assessment or scientific explanation has been provided,” Dr Ryan Paul says.
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 HERE
- Add your name and any personal comments
- Email it directly to Pharmac before 11 June 2026
The consultation closes on 11 June 2026.