17 December 2019 - PHARMAC knew for more than two weeks that three deaths had been linked to its epilepsy drug brand switch but didn't tell patients or the public.

The drug buying agency continued with the cost-saving brand switch after being told on 29 October that three deaths had been reported to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring over suspicions they were linked to the change.

Emails released under the Official Information Act also show the PHARMAC board alerted Minister of Health David Clark to the deaths on 29 October, under the 'no surprises' policy, but he too said nothing publicly.

Read Radio New Zealand article