PHARMAC's Place in the NZ Medicines System
PHARMAC is part of the overall New Zealand medicines system. We interact with other parts of the system, such as the 
Ministry of Health, Medsafe and District Health Boards, to provide New Zealanders with affordable access to prescription medicines, and to promote the optimal use of medicines.
See PHARMAC's place in the medicines system Information Sheet for more details.
The activity of all the agencies in the medicines system is guided by Medicines New Zealand, an overarching strategy released in 2007 by the Ministry of Health. The strategy is intended to inform decision-making over the long term and to deliver a world-class medicines system for New Zealanders.
Medicines New Zealand provides the platform for a medicines system that:
- delivers equitable access to safe, quality medicines that are used in the most effective ways possible
- is transparent, accessible and trusted by stakeholders
- delivers affordable medicines that meet the needs of New Zealanders and is sustainable for New Zealand.
The strategy was accompanied by an action plan, Actioning Medicines New Zealand which includes specific activities for PHARMAC. Implementing these actions is a high priority for us and we continually update this page with information relevant to our progress on this work.
Actioning Medicines New Zealand - PHARMAC's Activites
An updated Actioning Medicines New Zealand plan was released in 2010, which summarises progress since the 2007 Actioning Medicines New Zealand. This updated plan includes progress made by PHARMAC and identifies new priority areas for PHARMAC. For more information, click here.
Some of the primary actions of Actioning Medicines New Zealand that PHARMAC is responsible for are discussed below.
Improving consumer engagement
In 2010, PHARMAC completed a review and consultation on its consumer engagement activities. We continue to progress with actioning the findings from this review, including the launch of an online Application Tracker, improvements to our website and creating better "plain language" resources for health professionals and patients.
Review the Consumer Advisory Committee's Terms of Reference
Also in 2010, we reviewed the Terms of Reference for the Consumer Advisory Committee. This resulted in a more clearly defined role for the Committee and a refreshment of membership to ensure a wider range of views are heard.
Supporting medicine brand changes
To generate savings of the magnitude that we do, PHARMAC must be able to make choices to change the brand of medicine that is funded. When these changes happen we work to support patients and health professionals, ensuring they are well informed. Resources on brand changes are provided on our Medicine Brand Changes and {PHARMACOnline](http://www.pharmaconline.co.nz/) websites.
Review of Exceptional Circumstances schemes
In 2010-2011, PHARMAC reviewed and consulted on changes to its Exceptional Circumstances (EC) schemes. EC provides funding for patients with rare and unusual clinical circumstances.
For more information about the review of EC click here, and for more information about the current EC schemes click here.
The PHARMAC Forum
Actioning Medicines New Zealand requires PHARMAC to hold a regular forum for interested stakeholders to comment on Pharmac’s operation, including Pharmac’s stakeholder engagement activity.
Information about the PHARMAC Forum can be viewed here.
Page updated on 16 Sep 2011
