There's more confusion over how the Coalition Government intends to make good on National's promise to fund 13 new cancer drugs.
The Ministers of Health and Finance have publicly committed to funding the specific 13 - but now the minister in charge of drug-buying agency Pharmac is not giving the same assurance. The three ministers deciding whether to fund the lifesaving cancer drugs all have slightly different things to say about it.
"We are committed to delivering the cancer treatments as we described them," Health Minister Shane Reti said on Tuesday.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said on Wednesday morning: "We make a very clear assurance that we will be making an announcement that will ensure some of those medicines are funded this year."
And then on Wednesday afternoon, Associate Health Minister David Seymour, who is responsible for Pharmac, said: "The Government, per se, doesn't have that commitment."
On Tuesday, Dr Reti categorically committed to funding the specific 13 drugs National promised on the election campaign. But the Finance Minister only committed to "some" initially on Wednesday.
Asked by Newshub why she used the word "some", Willis replied: "That was just a use of a word. We will be funding the 13 medicines."
But one problem: Pharmac is deliberately independent from the Government, so politicians don't start picking and choosing drugs for political purposes.
"At this point, as far as I am aware, the minister who is responsible, which is me, is wholly committed to the neutrality of Pharmac's decision making," Seymour said.
Some of these treatments are easier to quickly fund than others.
Seven are on Pharmac's options for investment list - that means they're just waiting for the money. Three though are still under assessment or awaiting clinical advice.
There has been no application even lodged for two of them and one has been declined.
Newshub asked Seymour if he could make the commitment to fund the 13 specific drugs outlined by National.
"I can't make that commitment," he replied.
Willis, however, said: "We are committed to delivering the 13 cancer drugs which we campaigned on."
Asked if he was frustrated ministers were making those comments and why he couldn't go that far, Seymour said: "It is very simple. I take the job seriously."
Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said: "This will be very distressing for patients. It is clear ministers do not agree on what the Government's commitment is here."
Seymour accepted that the difference in comments being made by him and Dr Reti could cause uncertainty for patients.
Jenna Lynch analysis
Willis' comments were perhaps the most instructive on Wednesday, saying some will be funded this year and they are still committed to the 13.
It's seeming like the Government is going to pump a bunch of money Pharmac's way so the drugs ready to be funded can be, with the rest, or possibly even more, funded over the coming years.
