Prime Minister John Key has promised that New Zealanders will continue to pay no more than $5 for subsidised prescriptions, whatever happens to Pharmac under the Trans Pacific Partnership.
He made his comments to reporters in Christchurch today when questioned about the latest leak of TPP text by Wikileaks which suggest there will be greater requirements on Pharmac for transparency in its decision-making and potential for review.
"Ultimately for New Zealanders, they pay $5 for prescription drugs sponsored by Pharmac," Mr Key said. "The Government pays any additional costs.
"So whatever happens as a result of TPP, New Zealanders are going to carry on paying $5 for their prescriptions."
He said again that the Government would not sign anything that under-cut Pharmac in a dramatic way.