Pharmac submission update: August 2026

In May, we shared that Pharmac was consulting on widening access to type 2 diabetes medicines. That decision has now been confirmed.

Thank you to everyone who made a submission, shared a story, or talked to us about what this consultation meant for you. Nearly 1,900 submissions were received, a reminder of how many people were willing to speak up, which is powerful in itself.

Pharmac have removed criteria that previously limited access to four funded type 2 diabetes medicines: 

• Empagliflozin (Jardiance)

• empagliflozin with metformin

• liraglutide (Victoza)

• dulaglutide (Trulicity)

From 1 September, more people with type 2 diabetes will be able to get these medicines funded. 

Read the full outcome and what this might mean for you.