Fibre broadband expansion to 95% of NZ gets green light – a win for rural connectivity
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Last week, Pharmac announced it would open consultation on a proposal to fund Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patches from 1 December 2025.
Last year, Pharmac announced that Estradiol TDP Mylan would be the main funded brand of oestradiol patches from 1 July 2025 and from 1 December 2025 it would be the only funded brand available.
At the time, the government agency charged with funding decisions around medications said demand for oestradiol tripled in the three years to 2024 and was expected to continue rising.
The Mylan patches were only provisionally approved by Medsafe at that point and Pharmac said it was anticipating full approval by 1 July 2025.
Subsequently, the decision was met with concern and a petition was launched asking the Government to step in.
Now, the decision has been made to offer further consultation on the two options.
“We heard very clearly at the end of last year that a single brand of patch does not work well for everyone, and that we needed to have consulted more fully than we did,” says Pharmac manager of pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin.
She says that Pharmac thanks anyone who provided feedback following the initial decision in November of last year.
“We encourage anyone who uses oestradiol patches or who works with people who do, and anyone else with an interest in this issue, to take part in our public consultation,” she adds.
However, there are still ongoing supply issues with the Estradot brand, which Martin says is due to increasing demand.
“Through this proposal we have secured as much stock of Estradot as the supplier can provide but unfortunately the ongoing global supply issues mean there may be times when there’s not enough Estradot patches for everyone who wants to use them,” she says.
She says the supplier of Estradol TDP Mylan has made assurances to Pharmac that it can meet demand.
“This is why our proposal is to have two brands funded. Pharmac also funds other oestradiol treatments, like oestradiol gel, which can, for some people, be used as an alternative.”
The decision to reopen consultation is one Rural Women New Zealand president Sandra Matthews says is pleasing.
“This time Pharmac has listened to the legitimate concerns of New Zealand women,” Matthews says.
“Limiting funding to one HRT patch option removed freedom for women to make the right choice for their bodies,” she says.
“Navigating menopause can be a difficult time in a woman’s life and brings with it significant challenges,” she adds.
“Rural Women NZ is pleased Pharmac has taken another look at the funding for these patches and is taking steps to improve access to the medicines women need to manage their menopause.”
“It is also encouraging to see Pharmac improve on its consultation with women and we hope this continues when considering future funding decisions,” Matthews says.
RWNZ is encouraging its members to submit on the public consultation, which closes 22 April.
Consultation materials are available on the Pharmac website.
