Economic Analysis
Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis Information
The Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA) describes how PHARMAC undertakes its cost-utility analyses. This is the method we use to analyse new pharmaceuticals.
The PFPA was first published in 1999, and the review began after it had been used for five years.
We published the second edition in 2007 after an extensive review that included seeking expert advice from New Zealand and internationally. This included consultation with economists, the pharmaceutical industry, doctors and consumers, and a number of changes were made as a result.
You can download a copy of the PFPA from here.
Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained
The Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained Guide provides a simple explanation of general CUA concepts. For detailed information on the methods for CUA at PHARMAC, please refer to the Prescription for Pharmacoeconomic Analysis (PFPA).
You can download a copy of the Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) Explained Guide from here.
Technology Assessment Reports
Technology Assessment Reports are detailed analyses of new pharmaceuticals. They are used to determine the cost-effectiveness of pharmaceuticals that we are being asked to fund.
We don't publish most of our Technology Assessment Reports, because of commercial sensitivity. You can read our published reports here.
Research and Reports
Independent Reports
PHARMAC commissioned 2 independent reports to examine the 2005 Castalia report 'New Zealand Pharmaceutical Policies'. The independent reports are by Brian Easton New Zealand's Pharmaceutical Policies: A Fresh Look (27 pages, 75 KB) and BERL Independent Review of the Castalia Report on New Zealand Pharmaceutical Policies (23 pages, 110 KB).
Direct to Consumer Advertising
Letter (3 pages, 788 KB) and accompanying material (22 pages, 3704 KB) about the effects of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) sent to Barrie Saunders and referred to in NZ Medical Journal 12 September 2003 (Metalfe, McNee, Moodie)
Difficult Choices
Appendix (3 pages, 31 KB) to NZMJ 14 March 2003 'Response from PHARMAC: difficult choices'
Page updated on 27 Feb 2012
Linked documents
New Zealand's Pharmaceutical Policies: A Fresh Look (27 pages, 75 KB)
Brian Easton. This report, commissioned by Pharmac, reviews the report by Castalia Strategic Advisers New Zealand Pharmaceutical Policies: Time to Take a Fresh Look. November 2005. INTRODUCTION In August 2005, Castalia Strategic…
Independent Review of The Castalia Report (23 pages, 110 KB)
Business and Economic Research Limited Report to: PHARMAC Independent Review of The Castalia Report on New Zealand Pharmaceutical Policies. Prepared by Kel Sanderson Mark Goodchild October 2005 Copyright© BERL BERL ref #4426 JEL classification I1 Level 5, 108 The Terrace,…
Direct to consumer advertising (DTCA) and 2003 report by Toop et al (3 pages, 788 KB)
Letter to Barrie Saunders of Saunders Unsworth.
Board paper: Fiscal impact of direct to consumer advertising (DTCA) (22 pages, 3704 KB)
November 2002
Appendix to paper in NZMJ 14 March 2003 ‘Response from PHARMAC: difficult choices (3 pages, 31 KB)
Analysis of HealthPAC data suggests that between March 2001 (when simvastatin was both (1) fully funded again under Special Authority on the same basis as fluvastatin and…
