2 April 2004 Media Statement
Annette King welcomes 10 new PHOs and cheaper prescription charges
Health Minister Annette King says a new Primary Health Organisation (PHO) initiative means that almost one in three New
Zealanders will now be able to get prescribed medicines for no more than $3 an item.
Ms King today also welcomed the establishment of 10 more PHOs, bringing the total to 68, covering more than 3 million
people, or three out of four New Zealanders.
“The new prescription entitlement applies to all New Zealanders who are eligible for lower-cost consultations through
PHOs. That means everyone enrolled in Access-funded PHOs – those targeting high-needs groups – and all 6-17-year-old
enrollees in all PHOs. From July 1 all New Zealanders aged 65 and over enrolled in any PHO will also be eligible for the
reduced prescription charge.
“This reduction, from a maximum of $15 per prescription item to no more than $3 each, will be an important saving for
many New Zealanders,’’ Ms King says.
“This Government strongly believes in providing fair and affordable access for all New Zealanders to primary health
care, and we are moving toward that goal far faster than anticipated.
“Already more than one million New Zealanders can get reduced or low-cost fees when they visit their PHO. From
yesterday, as long as their medicine is fully subsidised by the Government and they present prescriptions from their PHO
practice, these people will also be able to get cheaper medicines.’’
The 10 new PHOs include the country’s largest, Partnership Health Canterbury, covering Christchurch city and with about
334,700 people enrolled.
Ms King says rapid progress has been made in the development of PHOs nationally, with more than three million New
Zealanders now covered by the PHOs around the country. “Every District Health Board now has at least one PHO. I think
this is a huge achievement for the health sector and the communities represented by the PHOs.
“I’m also very pleased to see in this latest wave of PHO establishment that there are six new PHOs in the South Island,
including the very first one for Southland. Many of them will be funded under the Interim formula, which means that all
under-18s enrolled with them will be eligible for lower-cost fees. From July 1, those aged 65 years and over will also
get these benefits. So not only are we targeting high needs areas with Access funding, but we are also making sure that
young and older New Zealanders can benefit as well.’’
Ms King says the Primary Health Care Strategy and the PHOs spearheading it have an important role in helping reduce
health inequalities and improve the overall health of all New Zealanders.
“PHOs are not just about making primary health care more affordable. They have a public health focus, are intended to
involve a whole team of health professionals, offering a variety of services, and are charged with providing continuity
of care for their enrolled populations.’’
ENDS