Rock The Vote NZ Rejects Key Provision of Medicines Amendment Bill

We call for Sovereignty in Drug Approvals

On 19 May 2025, Rock The Vote NZ formally opposed the Medicines Amendment Bill, citing fundamental concerns with its primary provision—the introduction of a verification pathway known as “The Rule of Two.”

While acknowledging beneficial secondary provisions, the party maintains that adopting overseas regulatory assessments without rigorous local review jeopardises New Zealand’s sovereign decision-making and public health integrity.

Key Positions

• Opposition to The Rule of Two: Rock The Vote NZ strongly opposes this new verification pathway, which would allow overseas authorities’ approvals to shortcut New Zealand’s own analysis. We stand for full domestic oversight and transparent evaluation of all medicines entering our health system.

• Support for Practical Improvements: We support the Bill’s provisions to expand prescription and administration rights, allowing more healthcare professionals to prescribe substitute medications when needed—an important step toward alleviating strain on the medical system.

• Support for Medicines Classification Committee Update: We agree with revising this committee’s structure following the dissolution of the New Zealand Medical Association, but note it should have been addressed separately years ago.

Safeguards If The Rule of Two Is Adopted

Recognising that this proposal stems from coalition agreements, we recommend the following mitigations if the bill proceeds:

• Publish a transparent and accessible list of recognised overseas regulatory authorities in the official regulations.

• Require Medsafe to release international assessment reports it relies on, with minimal commercial redactions, to protect public trust.

• Balance Section 23's five-year confidentiality clause with public interest—for instance, we believe contracts like that of Pfizer should already be public.

• Mandate independent pharmacovigilance reports at six and eighteen months, in line with the Ministry’s own guidance on emerging post-market safety profiles.

Preserving Access to Healthcare

Rock The Vote NZ supports provisions that broaden access to substitute medications and reduce GP wait times. New Zealanders deserve timely care without unnecessary administrative bottlenecks, especially in regions where access remains limited.

Conclusion

While some components of the Bill are constructive, its core purpose—the automatic validation of medicines approved overseas—is a step too far. Decisions affecting New Zealanders’ health must be based on our own research, standards, and accountability structures.

We urge Parliament to reject the bill in its current form, or at the very least, to separate “The Rule of Two” into standalone legislation where it can be properly debated and scrutinised.