Prioritising Maori and Pasifika in medicine has been successful, according to a new study

Waikato University research shows more Maori and Pacific people were given prescriptions when prioritised by the health system.

Endocrinologist Dr Ryan Paul says the ethnicity criteria added in 2021 worked to break down barriers.

He says these include access to a GP, diabetes being seen as a low priority, and money towards prescriptions.