This is the text extract for PHARMAC and CAC Regional Forum in Otahuhu, Auckland, browse documents here.

8 September 2011

PHARMAC’s first regional consumer forum in Otahuhu

PHARMAC and two members from its Consumer Advisory Committee, Anne Fitisemanu and Moana Papa, are hosting a lunchtime forum in Otahuhu on 14 September 2011. This is a community opportunity to meet and share views on services and information provided by PHARMAC, the Government’s medicine funding agency. Participants will learn more about PHARMAC and we will learn more about your point of view. In particular, we’ll be talking about:    Ways to work with Māori to better address Māori health needs Ways to work better with Pacific peoples to better address their health needs, and an Open session to discuss PHARMAC related topics relevant to the audience.

The session will be held from 10.00am – 12.30pm followed by lunch and an optional question and answer session until 1.30pm at the Pacific Business Trust, 733 Great South Road, Otahuhu. The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) was established by the PHARMAC Board in 2000 to provide input from a consumer or patient point of view on matters relating to PHARMAC’s activities. The CAC‘s primary functions are to provide advice to PHARMAC on how it can best access the diversity of consumer views and consider these when carrying out its role. Consumers are able to provide input directly on the processes involved in the assessment, prioritization and funding of medicines. CAC can give PHARMAC advice on whether it is getting wide and diverse enough engagement with people in the community. For more information visit www.pharmac.govt.nz/PHARMACforum or email forum@pharmac.govt.nz For media inquiries contact: 021 0248 3515.