May 25, 2023
Prescription charge axing makes health system healthier
The deputy director general of health, John Whaanga, says ending prescriptions should benefit many Māori families.
Opposition leader Chris Luxon is promising to reinstate the $5 charge if National forms the next Government.
Mr Whaanga says from his non-political perspective anything done to increase access to health services and medicines for Maori and other vulnerable groups is positive.
Last year about 135,000 prescriptions were not picked up.
“Given how important things like medicines are for helping people keep generally well, keep out of hospital, keep out of using other services we need to make sure that where people need their medicines they are able to pick it up,” Mr Whaanga says.
He in large households or where people have multiple health conditions, the $5 prescription charges add up quickly.