Purpose of transitional access
Starting from 1 July 2025, when a cancer medicine starts to be funded by Pharmac, patients in private facilities will be able to continue their treatment with publicly funded medicines in the same facility.
Transitional access is intended for patients who are currently receiving treatment in private facilities, or are about to start treatment, when the specific cancer medicine becomes publicly funded (see patient eligibility section).
Transitional access supports continuity of care for cancer patients. It enables patients in private facilities to benefit from the publicly funded cancer medicine, without changing facility or planned treatment timings.
Transitional access also helps manage public health system capacity when Pharmac approves funding for a new cancer medicine. The public system can focus on existing public patients starting this treatment, without taking in additional patients who may have already started their treatment in private facilities.
Cancer medicines funded through transitional access
Cancer medicines that can be funded through transitional access will be identified by Pharmac as they are funded. Transitional access is not available to any cancer medicines funded prior to 1 July 2025.
Publicly funded cancer medicines can be used in private facilities, as long as both the patient and provider meet the eligibility criteria. However, other associated costs within private facilities – such as the administration of the medicine – will remain the responsibility of the patient when accessed in private facilities.
More information
Further information about the policy work is provided in the following documents.
Enabling Transitional Access to Newly Funded Cancer Medicines for Patients in Private Facilities
If you have any questions about this policy you can contact the Ministry of Health, email: [email protected].
