Pharmac is being urged to encourage the Australian suppliers of allergy injection devices to supply the New Zealand market as well.
A young boy demonstrates how to use an EpiPen to treat anaphylaxis. Photo: AFP
The government's drug-buying agency says it cannot negotiate with the New Zealand supplier of the EpiPen, because it has a monopoly.
The injectors contain a shot of adrenaline, used to treat anaphylactic shock, and cost between $120 and $250 each.
They expire after 18 months.
Allergy New Zealand chief executive Mark Dixon said Pharmac needed to be more proactive about approaching Australian suppliers.
"If you're serious about providing a safe health system for New Zealanders, then you've got to acknowledge that there is an awful lot of New Zealanders now living with this condition, and the government, or their agencies, are not evolving their response to it."