AstraZeneca has released a new episode of its recently launched TrailblAZers video podcast featuring New Zealand MP Todd Stephenson.
The podcast, hosted by Penny George, AstraZeneca's director of corporate affairs for Australia and New Zealand, facilitates discussions about policy and reforms focused on earlier, faster, and fairer access.
In this episode, Mr Stephenson, elected to New Zealand's parliament last year representing the ACT Party, discusses his career in health sector advocacy and his ambitions for the upcoming Valuing Life NZ Medicines Access Summit.
"ACT has been very vocal about the changes we think Pharmac needs to make… We’ve said this a number of times, per capita New Zealand spends the same amount on health. But for medicines we spend a lot less than other countries. And so we are going to drive some changes there," says Mr Stephenson.
“The Pharmac system again, over about 33 years old, hasn’t really changed and evolved… and hasn’t really changed or evolved to meet the needs of modern technologies.”
“Community expectations have changed as well. I often say a modern corporate like AstraZeneca, for example. It’s much more open with its stakeholders, you’re inviting in people, you’re actually trying to understand their points of view and work with them. So, you know, Pharmac needs to do more of that as well and actually work with people, partner, and you know be a little bit less isolated," he says.
Ms George asks, “If you were back in your old role, or I suppose even now as a member of parliament, back in Australia talking to the Australian Health Minister. What are the aspects of the New Zealand health system you should say that Australia should definitely not consider adopting?
“Well I know that from my perspective having worked with you for over a decade in the industry, but also, we’ve all been so proud of you in terms of your advocacy that you did, and the impact you have already made.”
