Empowering New Zealand Nurses for Excellence in Healthcare

This meta-analysis included pooled data from 51 trials involving 358,325 participants, of whom 4.4% had isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) 1 .  Over 4.2 years, reducing systolic pressure by 5 mmHg lowered major cardiovascular events to a similar degree in people with and without IDH. Treatment effects did not vary by baseline diastolic pressure, cardiovascular history, age, prior medication, or measurement method.  The study found no evidence that BP-lowering therapy is more, or less...

From 1 March 2026 Pharmac is funding ferric derisomaltose (Monofer) in hospitals for people who have experienced serious reactions after other iron infusions. In January, we consulted on a proposal to fund ferric derisomaltose (Monofer) in hospitals for people who have developed hypophosphataemia after an iron infusion. The feedback we have received was supportive. However, clinicians told us a small number of patients who experience serious reactions to other funded iron transfusions would...

Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to fund two new treatment combinations for people with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a type of blood cancer. Under this proposal, venetoclax with ibrutinib and venetoclax with obinutuzumab would be funded as first‑line treatment options from 1 May 2026. These combinations aim to give people access to targeted therapies earlier, supporting longer‑lasting remission and reducing the need for hospital visits. We have heard from...

From 1 March 2026 Pharmac is funding ferric derisomaltose (Monofer) in hospitals for people who have experienced serious reactions after other iron infusions. In January, we consulted on a proposal to fund ferric derisomaltose (Monofer) in hospitals for people who have developed hypophosphataemia after an iron infusion. The feedback we have received was supportive. However, clinicians told us a small number of patients who experience serious reactions to other funded iron transfusions would...

Kia ora ,The countdown is on to International Rare Disease Day on 28 February, which also marks the beginning of Rare Disorders Month - and we’re excited to see how you will Glow Up and Show Up for Rare  this March! We've made it super easy to join the campaign with our new fundraising platform. Simply sign up  to create your own fundraising page and decide how you would like to #GlowUpShowUp for rare. From morning teas to movie nights, or perhaps even a personal challenge - there are so many...

Kia ora koutou, OUR LATEST TE WHATA KURA UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2026 We are pleased to share our latest Te Whata Kura newsletter, attached to this email. It includes updates on febrile neutropenia and maternal guidelines, as well as links to promotional and support materials.  You can access Te Whata Kura here:   https://tewhatakura.nz   Please share this newsletter widely across your networks, including clinicians, committees, organisations, and professional bodies involved with antimicrobial...

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for two Nurse Practitioners to teach into the Master of Nursing Science and join Te Puna Hauora - School of Health. Each position is part-time (0.5 FTE) and on a two-year fixed-term contract. Please click on the links below for further information, the role descriptions and salary details. Expiry date is 4 March 2026. HLTH543 RN Prescribing Practicum and HLTH517 Diagnostics and Therapeutics:...

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 13 February 2026. It includes information on:  New updates Resolved Supply Issues Discontinuation: Sensocard blood glucose test strips The supplier has just advised Pharmac that it will be discontinuing Sensocard blood glucose test strips for visually impaired people. The last stock expired at the start of February 2026. Pharmaco CareSens N is available as an...

The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) set the minimum quality standard that medicinal cannabis products and ingredients must meet before they can be supplied in New Zealand. Importers, manufacturers, and suppliers must apply for assessment and provide evidence to the Medicinal Cannabis Agency to verify that their products meet the minimum quality standard. KIKUYA Alta Oil [FS 10:10], has been verified as meeting the minimum quality standard. KIKUYA Fuma...

Brand Change: We are writing to inform you of the b rand change and subsequent PSO quantity change: Key Messages: Furosemide-AFT Inj 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule will be listed (funded) 1 March 2026.       Between 1 March 2026 and 1 August 2026 Furosemide-Baxter Inj 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule) will be replaced with the AFT brand. The PSO quantity will be increased from 5 to 10 ampoules  for furosemide injection 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule from 1 March 2026, to align with the AFT pack size.  ...

New medicine supply notices Calcitonin (Miacalcic) Inj 100 iu per ml, 1 ml ampoule (Pharmacode: 2548356) Stock is limited, an alternative is available and funded. See the website for details and a flyer. Furosemide [Frusemide] 10 mg/ml 2 ml ampoules: Changing brand  From 1 March Furosemide-AFT will be listed to replace Furosemide-Baxter. The pack size is changing see the website for more detail. Have your say We’re consulting on upcoming changes to how the Pharmaceutical Schedule will work....

We have multiple permanent, part-time positions available We operate 24/7 and the role will be rostered to cover any shifts within the operating hours. Ko tāuake mahi | What you will be doing This is an exciting opportunity for nurse practitioners to be part of the Pegasus Health 24 Hour Surgery team.  The nurse practitioner role is part of the Advanced Nursing Practice Team and works to improve sustainable access to and standards of clinical care for people accessing acute level services....

Pharmac is redeveloping the Pharmaceutical Schedule to be better aligned with modern funding arrangements and digital standards. The Schedule was first published in 1994 and has grown significantly over the last three decades. As its scope has expanded, so has the complexity of the products and funding arrangements it needs to reflect. The digital systems that support the Schedule are also outdated and need replacing to ensure information can be updated quickly and consistently. We are...

We are writing to inform you that t he supplier Eli Lilly are discontinuing 4 insulins in the 10ml vial presentation. The 3ml penfill presentations remain available.   Insulin Type Brand Presentation Date Supplier stops selling Insulin lispro  Humalog Inj 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial End June 2026 Insulin isophane Humulin NPH  Inj human 100 u per ml, 10 ml vial End June 2026 Insulin isophane with insulin neutral  Humulin 30/70 Inj human with neutral insulin 100 u per ml, 10 m l vial End June...

We’re letting you know that Pharmac has made a decision to change the funded access criteria for infliximab, etanercept, secukinumab and rituximab.These changes update the Special Authority and Hospital Indication Restrictions for these medicines to simplify and align the criteria where possible. Most of the changes relate to wording and consistency, and the overall intent of the criteria remains the same. However, in some instances we have made more substantive changes, including: extending...

Please follow this link to the  Pharmac decision regarding improving access to treatments in the community for trauma and medical emergencies, and ketamine for palliative care . We want to make sure that everyone who needs to know about this decision is aware of it. Please share this information with people you think might be interested. Ngā mihi Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | P: +0800 660 050|  www.pharmac.govt.nz

Nurse Practitioner – Join Our Supportive Team in Te Awamutu Mahoe Medical is looking for a motivated and positive Nurse Practitioner  to join our friendly, well-established team in Te Awamutu, Waikato . We are a Cornerstone-accredited  practice with a strong culture of teamwork, learning, and support. Our clinic has extensive experience in training and currently supervises GPEP registrars , reflecting our commitment to clinical excellence and mentoring. What we offer $90.00 per hour A highly...

Please follow this link to the  Pharmac decision regarding improving access to treatments in the community for trauma and medical emergencies, and ketamine for palliative care . We want to make sure that everyone who needs to know about this decision is aware of it. Please share this information with people you think might be interested. Ngā mihi Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | P: +0800 660 050|  www.pharmac.govt.nz

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 06 February 2026. It includes information on:  New updates Resolved Supply Issues 12-month prescriptions – Pharmac’s key messages for prescribers From 1 February 2026, medicines and other products are funded for up to 12 months on a single prescription. Details of all Schedule changes are included in our decision notification, linked here:  Decision on changes to...