133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
29 July 2024
K Scrivener
By email: [FYI request #27108 email]
Ref: H2024043293
Tēnā koe K
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 2 June 2024 regarding Oestradiol. Each part of your
request is addressed below.
All correspondence, communications, policies, and guidance to Pharmac relating to the
supply issue for Oestradiol (Estradot) patches, Oestradiol gel and other products. From
2022 to current.
The Ministry has not identified any information in scope for this part of your request, as such,
this part is refused under section 18(e) of the Act. Please note that Pharmac manages
medicines supply issues with the sector itself. If you require further information, you can
contact Pharmac at [email address].
Will the ministry of health continue with the 2023 Women’s Health Strategy?
Yes, the Ministry is currently working to implement the 2023 Women’s Health Strategy.
Al correspondence and communications about the Women’s Health Strategy, including
between the Ministry of Health and the Minister of Health, Shane Reti, from December
2023 to current.
As communicated to you on 20 June, 25 June, 1 July, and 2 July 2024, this portion of your
request, as currently formulated, involves a large volume of internal administrative emails. As
we did not receive a response from you, this part of your request is refused under section 18(f)
of the Act as the information requested cannot be provided without substantial collation or
research.
However, as per our proposed refinement, we can answer to official correspondence and
communications about the Women’s Health Strategy, including between the Ministry of Health
and the Minister of Health, Shane Reti, from December 2023 to current. Please see these
documents below:
• Aide-Mémoire: Women's health delegation
This document is refused under section 18(d) of the Act as the information requested is publicly
available on the Ministry of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/information-release/h2024035860_briefing_-
_womens_health_delegation_black_box.pdf
• Aide-Mémoire: Key initiatives that support women’s health
This document is refused under section 18(d) of the Act as the information requested will soon
be publicly available on the Ministry of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-
ministry/information-releases/release-ministerial-decision-making-documents
Please note that some information in the above documents may be withheld under section 9 of
the Act. I have considered the countervailing public interest in releasing information and
consider that it does not outweigh the need to withhold at this time.
Current budget assigned to carrying out the Women’s Health Strategy.
There is no specific budget for implementation of the Women’s Health Strategy. Budgets sit with
the Ministry, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, and other agencies such as Te Aho o Te
Kahu – Cancer Control Agency who are responsible for a range of work programmes supporting
the implementation of the strategy.
A copy of the most recent Letter of Expectation from the Minister of Health, Shane Reti, to
Pharmac.
The most recent Letter of Expectation from the Associate Minister Health (Pharmac) Hon. David
Seymour to Pharmac is publicly available on the Pharmac website here:
www.pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/publications/corporate-publications/letter-of-
expectations.
The Women’s Health action plan and progress reports from 2023 - current. We want to
know what impact the Women’s Health Action Plan has had for women.”
The two documents set out above also answer this section of your request.
I trust this information fulfils your request. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with
us, including this decision, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address]
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.
Nāku noa, nā
Emma Prestidge
Group Manager, Family and Community Health Policy Strategy Policy and Legislation | Te Pou Rautaki
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