The implementation of AI in medication access oversight in New Zealand is set to revolutionize the processes and decision-making in the healthcare sector. Government entities such as the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) and Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac) are at the forefront of this digital transformation.
Medsafe and Pharmac have been actively involved in piloting Microsoft Copilot, a smart AI-powered chatbot, to streamline their operations. Additionally, Medsafe is exploring other AI tools that can handle larger datasets while ensuring patient confidentiality.
Chris James, the group manager at Medsafe, outlined various potential uses of AI in medicine regulation in a letter to Associate Health Minister David Seymour. These include using AI for generating assessment reports more efficiently, analyzing side effect profiles, and assisting with large information dossier assessments.
On the other hand, Pharmac has already started using AI tools to process complex information, analyze data, and improve the accessibility of technical content. Paula Bennett, the Pharmac board chair, highlighted the positive impact of these tools on their decision-making processes and the transparency of their operations.
Associate Health Minister Seymour emphasized the importance of technology absorption in increasing productivity and efficiency in Pharmac and Medsafe. He believes that leveraging AI can lead to faster access to necessary treatments for patients.
The push for greater AI adoption in Pharmac and Medsafe is part of the broader digital transformation of the New Zealand health system. In Budget 2025, the government allocated NZ$7 million for improving Pharmac’s data and digital infrastructure, signaling a commitment to modernizing healthcare practices.
Medsafe’s efforts to enhance medicine safety monitoring include the development of a new digital system for collecting adverse drug reaction reports, replacing an outdated database. Additionally, the approval of the first electronic controlled drug register in the country is expected to improve pharmacy efficiencies.
Overall, the integration of AI in medication access oversight in New Zealand marks a significant step towards a more efficient and transparent healthcare system. By harnessing the power of technology, government entities are poised to enhance decision-making processes and streamline operations for the benefit of patients nationwide.
