133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
12 August 2021
T+64 4 496 2000
T. Baker
By email: [FYI request #15967 email]
Ref:
H202108894
Tēnā koe T. Baker
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 21 July 2021
relating to your previous request provided to you on the same date. (H202108049 refers).
Regarding PCR tests, you specifically asked:
Does the government fund the District Health Boards [DHBs] for PCR tests, and if so,
how much per test?
The DHBs receive funding for collection of the swabs ($75 per swab) and the government also
pays for the performance of the test by the labs ($63 per test result).
Please clarify which laboratory is contracted to provide PCR test services, and when this
contract was 1) Initially tendered, and 2) Executed/signed.
As referred to in the letter of 21 July, the Ministry has only one contract associated with testing
of saliva samples for COVID-19. The details of this can be found in that letter.
Individual DHBs contract with dif erent laboratories to undertake pathology services, including
PCR testing. The Ministry does not hold information about these contracts. For further
information about these contracts, you may wish to contact the DHBs. Their contact details can
be found:
www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/key-health-sector-organisations-and-
people/district-health-boards/district-health-board-websites.
Does the cost per test reduce to $63/test on 1 October 2021? (Sep 2020 and Oct 2021
are mentioned, I think one of the dates is an error).
There was no error, the cost per test reduced from $70 per test to $63 per test in October 2020.
Regarding the Provisional Consent documents, Pfizer has released information relating to
both Conditions 52 and 54.…. When does the Ministry anticipate receiving reports in
relation to this? I expect the Ministry is fully aware of the work that Pfizer is undertaking in
this regard.
I am advised that Medsafe has been in communication with regards to the study referenced and
their requirement under the conditions on provisional consent for the Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine.
Medsafe expects to receive the relevant report before the end of August 2021.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Darryl Carpenter
Group Manager, COVID-19 Testing and Supply
COVID-19 Health System Response
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