Te Wero tonu—the challenge continues: Māori access to medicines 2006/07–2012/13 update
Scott Metcalfe, Kebede Beyene, Jude Urlich, Rhys Jones, Catherine Proffitt, Jeff Harrison, \u0100tene Andrews
This paper summarises a commissioned update, by the University of Auckland for 2012/13, of previous research on the shortfall in community medicines dispensed for Mori compared with non-Mori, adjusting for age, population and burden of disease and what PHARMAC and the health sector needs to do about it. Although complexities and limitations affect interpretation, substantial and unacceptable inequities in medicines access for Mori remain, and are unchanged six years on. Their causes are likely many, complex and entrenched, needing an all-of-sector approach and beyond to address. Deeper understanding of systems and barriers is required, as well as pragmatic ways to monitor outcomes. PHARMAC is committed to eliminating inequities in access to medicines as one of its key priorities; everyone in the health sector has a role.