MINISTRY OF SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
TE MANATU WHAKAHIATO ORA
Gregory Soar
fyi-request-1926 7-f7a250f3@req uests. fyi. org. nz
31 May 2022
Tena koe Gregory Soar
On 3 May 2022, you emailed the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry)
requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following
information:
•
All information as to why MSD classifies THC containing medicines as
"alternative medicines" on special benefit review forms.
Medicines containing THC are described as non-subsidised pharmaceuticals for
the purposes of financial assistance from the Ministry because they are not
subsidised by PHARMAC.
Special Benefit is only available to clients, or their spouses or partners, who
have been receiving or applied for Special Benefit prior to 1 April 2006. The
grant of a Special Benefit is discretionary and approved on a case-by-case
basis, and for a cost to be included it needs to be an allowable cost as
prescribed in Definitions clause 2 of the Direction in relation to Special Benefit.
More information on allowable costs for Special Benefit is available on the Work
and Income website, here: www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income
support/extra-help/special-benefit/allowable-costs-01.html.
Generally, for medication to be included it must be an ongoing cost for a
prescribed and subsidised pharmaceutical. If a client requests financial
assistance for non-subsidised pharmaceuticals such as medicines containing
THC, this must be reviewed as an individual case on its own merits. Non
subsidised pharmaceuticals can only be included in assistance on a case-by
case basis when the client's registered medical practitioner or nurse
practitioner has verified that the pharmaceutical item is essential, and that
there are no suitable subsidised or partly subsidised alternatives. The client
will need to provide a letter from their registered health practitioner or nurse
practitioner confirming the following information:
• the reasons for prescribing the non-subsidised pharmaceutical
