30 April 2026
Levi
Via email: [FYI request #34313 email]
Tēnā koe Levi
Request for information: Risk Assessment for the Middle East Conflict
Thank you for your request dated 31 March 2026 under the Official Information Act 1982
(OIA) for information relating to the Middle East Conflict. You requested:
Regarding potential supply chain issues in the wake of the Gulf of Hormuz, a recent
RNZ article claimed phamac is currently "working with suppliers, Health New
Zealand, Medsafe, and the logistics sector to identify risks early and secure
alternative products if necessary."
I would like to request any risk assessment provided to pharmac by the listed
agencies in the last four weeks.
Pharmac has not received any risk assessments from the above agencies, therefore 18(e) of
the Act applies as the requested information does not exist.
What Pharmac can share is we are managing a small number of supply issues related to the
events in the Middle East but advises there are currently minimal impacts to New Zealanders
at this time. Pharmac regularly manages over 100 medicine and medical device supply
issues at one time, and most have a minimal impact on patients.
Pharmac is working proactively with suppliers, Health NZ and Medsafe to identify and
manage any potential risks early. This includes securing alternative products if required.
New Zealand’s medicines supply system has proven resilient through major global
disruptions. The priority remains ensuring people can continue to access the medicines and
medical devices they need.
We also are regularly updating our website with information pertaining to supply issues
including the Middle East conflict. Please see the following page for all information relating to
how we are managing supply issues
:https:/ www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-
supply/medicine-notices/middle-east-conflict
There is also a direct link to where the medical supply notices are published which you can
filter to issues affected by the conflict:
https:/ www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices
2025-26-191
Please note, you have the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman about our response
to your OIA, under section 28(3) of the OIA. Details of
how to make a complaint are on the
Ombudsman’s website.
To make information more freely available, we publish selected OIA responses (excluding
personal details) on our website. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about
this.
Nāku noa, nā
Cushla Managh,
Acting Manager Public Affairs and Government Services
qA79961
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