Nine To Noon Plans needed for potential global medicine supply issues
Mar 29, 2026
Malcolm Mulholland, a patient advocate for medicine supply continuity and pharmaceutical policy, warns about global supply risks tied to conflict. He explains NZ's reliance on overseas generics and fuel-fed logistics. He urges revisiting contingency plans, regional cooperation, and smarter stock and prescribing strategies to keep medicines flowing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
NZ's Heavy Reliance On Indian Generics
- New Zealand relies heavily on generics with around 85% of Pharmac-supplied drugs coming from generic manufacturers.
- Most generics come from India, which is vulnerable because manufacturing and LPG supplies travel through the Strait of Hormuz, linking Iran war risks to NZ access.
Conflict Hits Inputs Not Just Finished Drugs
- The supply risk is primarily a supply-chain problem driven by fuel and raw-material flow through the Gulf and shipping routes.
- LPG and petroleum inputs for Indian generic manufacturing could be disrupted by conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, affecting production capacity.
Dust Off Pandemic Playbook To Find Alternate Suppliers
- Pharmac should review and reactivate pandemic-era contingency plans to identify alternative sourcing markets for generics.
- Malcolm Mulholland suggests exploring other markets and leveraging smaller-order flexibility since NZ is a small buyer globally.