Launch of Medicines New Zealand

Launch of Medicines New Zealand

The Researched Medicines Industry Association has changed its name to Medicines New Zealand and announced a range of new initiatives to improve health outcomes for New Zealand. A launch event was held at the Beehive, hosted by Associate Minister of Health, the Hon Peter Dunne.

“New Zealand’s medicines industry has a proud history of research and innovation in the health and disability sector and we are privileged to be joined today by representatives from consumer groups, clinical and health research communities and Members of Parliament,” Denise Wood, Chief Executive of Medicines New Zealand says.

“There has been an Association representing the pharmaceutical industry in New Zealand for nearly 50 years and this announcement, on the eve of its golden jubilee, aims to re-establish the Association’s commitment to the following:

• Demonstrating the Value of Medicines Promoting access for all New Zealanders and their clinicians to new and innovative medicines Encouraging and supporting an environment that encourages clinical research and medical innovation in New Zealand Ensuring that the Industry, through Medicines New Zealand, is recognised by the wider health sector and the community as a key partner in obtaining the best health outcomes.

Medicines New Zealand is also delighted to announce the following initiatives:

The “Value of Medicines” Award. Entries are encouraged from all health communities where a project has demonstrated the value of medicines in improving health outcomes for New Zealanders. Assessed by an independent panel, this $20,000 award will be presented at an event in the coming year. Medicines New Zealand will also publish a document detailing all the finalists and their innovative projects.

A Healthcare Partnership Forum will be established from representatives of consumer groups, related healthcare associations, clinicians, and the research community, to focus on overcoming the barriers to improving health outcomes. “The move to a new name is more than superficial. The organisation has been working hard over recent months to adopt a more collaborative, future focussed and patient centric working style. We acknowledge that health resources are not infinite and want to work together with government agencies, patient groups, clinicians and others to seek better access to medicines and improved health outcomes for all New Zealanders.”

ENDS

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