AI to Accelerate Medicine Access in NZ: Seymour Pushes for Faster Drug Approvals

In a move aimed at transforming New Zealand’s pharmaceutical landscape, Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced a push to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the operations of Medsafe and Pharmac. The initiative is designed to streamline medicine assessment and approval processes, potentially bringing faster access to life-saving treatments for thousands of Kiwis.

Driving Efficiency Through Technology

Mr Seymour, long an advocate for timely access to pharmaceuticals, emphasized the crucial role that speed plays in drug delivery:

“For many New Zealanders, pharmaceuticals are life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely.”

He sees AI as a powerful tool to cut through bureaucratic delays by handling repetitive, data-intensive tasks. In letters sent to both Medsafe (New Zealand’s medical regulatory authority) and Pharmac (the pharmaceutical management agency), Seymour urged the adoption of AI to enhance operational efficiency and minimize assessment bottlenecks.

Medsafe’s Positive Response

Medsafe responded affirmatively, recognizing the role AI could play in modernizing and accelerating its assessment processes. Several potential applications are being considered, including:

• Automated generation of assessment reports, which would enable faster public dissemination of findings and approvals.

• AI-supported analysis of side effect trends, helping regulators detect and interpret adverse drug reactions with greater speed and precision.

• Processing large-scale data submissions for new drug applications, where AI can sift through extensive dossiers and flag pertinent information for human review.

Seymour noted:

“I am very encouraged by Medsafe’s response... they recognise that AI could significantly reduce assessment times.”

Pharmac's Exploration of AI Potential

In parallel, Seymour has engaged with Pharmac to explore similar applications of AI within their funding and decision-making processes. As part of Pharmac's evolving data and digital strategy, the agency will investigate how AI might:

• Enhance medicine prioritization and evaluation based on evidence from international datasets.

• Improve the efficiency of price negotiations and supplier communications.

• Accelerate formulary decisions and streamline patient access pathways.

Pharmac has signaled openness to this vision and is expected to provide a roadmap for potential AI integrations in upcoming policy discussions.

Transforming the Regulatory Environment

This initiative represents a broader effort by the government to remove unnecessary delays in the pharmaceutical approval system. By integrating AI, Seymour hopes to modernize the sector and ensure that regulatory caution does not unintentionally deny timely access to essential medicines.

“We’re committed to ensuring that the regulatory system for pharmaceuticals is not unreasonably holding back access,” Seymour stated.

He underscored that the use of AI will not replace human expertise but will assist medical professionals and reviewers by relieving them of redundant and time-consuming tasks.

Implications for Patients and the Health Sector If implemented successfully, the AI initiative could yield several critical benefits:

• Faster access to innovative treatments for chronic and life-threatening conditions.

• Improved public confidence in a more responsive and transparent pharmaceutical system.

• Cost savings and efficiency gains across the health system, redirecting resources toward frontline services.

This reform could also position New Zealand as a regional leader in digital health regulation, showcasing how cutting-edge technologies can serve both efficiency and safety.

 Associate Minister Seymour’s push for AI adoption at Medsafe and Pharmac signals a future-focused approach to healthcare policy. By removing red tape and empowering regulators with advanced tools, New Zealand aims to create a more agile, equitable, and responsive pharmaceutical ecosystem — one where timely access to medicines is a guarantee, not a privilege.