Pharmac Reverses Decision to Fund Both Estradot and Estradiol Patches from Late 2025

Pharmac has reversed its decision to fund only Estradiol TDP Mylan hormone replacement patches for menopausal women. Instead, it will fund both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan patches from December 2025, subject to availability. The U-turn follows criticism of the initial decision to switch suppliers without public consultation. Over 1100 people responded to Pharmac's consultation, with most supporting dual funding.

Pharmac, the government agency responsible for deciding which medicines and related products are funded, has reversed its decision to fund only Estradiol TDP Mylan hormone replacement patches for menopausal women. Instead, it will fund both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan patches from December 2025, subject to availability. This U-turn follows criticism of the initial decision to switch suppliers without public consultation.

The decision to switch the supplier without public consultation was widely criticized, with one doctor stating that women felt blindsided by the decision. In response, Pharmac initiated a consultation process to gather feedback on a proposal to fund both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan brands of oestradiol patches. Over 1100 people responded to the consultation, with the majority supporting the dual-funded approach [2].

The reversal of the decision reflects a more patient-centric approach by Pharmac. Associate Health Minister David Seymour highlighted that the community had not been sufficiently consulted on the original decision. He emphasized that Pharmac has added an additional consultation step to its annual tender process to seek feedback when considering a medicine brand change [1].

The annual tender process is a key mechanism for Pharmac to manage pharmaceutical expenditure at a relatively low transactional cost. Once a year, Pharmac invites suppliers to bid to be the main suppliers of certain medicines, which can realize between $30 million and $50 million savings per year to spend on new treatments [1].

The redirection of Pharmac's approach remains positive and continues towards a more adaptable and patient-centred funding system. The decisions to fund Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan, along with the improvement in consultation criteria on the annual tender process, are positive steps towards a system that works for the people it serves [1].

References:
[1] https://www.miragenews.com/pharmac-reverses-funding-decision-1478243/
[2] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pharmac-makes-u-turn-and-will-fund-estradot-and-mylan-oestradiol-patches-from-late-2025/CEVHRY3FJFADNJRYVT2FVETBO4/