Information Sheets
We have developed a range of information sheets about PHARMAC, the things we do and our place in the health system:
- Learn the basics about what we do - Introduction to PHARMAC (2 pages, 150 KB)
- A brief history of PHARMAC - Our History (2 pages, 419 KB)
- Where does PHARMAC fit in? Who does what? Our Place in the Medicines System (2 pages, 132 KB)
- How is our budget determined and by whom? Setting & Managing the Community Pharmaceutical Budget (2 pages, 130 KB)
- Why do we fund some medicines and not others? Making Funding Decisions (2 pages, 149 KB)
- How do we purchase medicines? Purchasing Medicines (2 pages, 127 KB)
- Learn about generic medicines and why we subsidise them - The Truth about Generic Medicines (2 pages, 120 KB)
- How do we make sure that the people who would most benefit from a medicine have access to it? Targeting Medicines (2 pages, 123 KB)
- What about when a medicine runs out, what happens then? Managing Medicine Supply (2 pages, 125 KB)
- Confused by the Pharmaceutical Schedule? Inside the Pharmaceutical Schedule (2 pages, 210 KB)
- What does our Access and Optimal Use work involve? Optimal Use of Medicines (2 pages, 220 KB)
- How do we try to improve access to medicines? Inequalities in Access to Medicines (2 pages, 412 KB)
- What does CAC do? Listening to Consumers - Role of the Consumer Advisory Committee (2 pages, 90 KB)
- How do I make my views known? Getting Involved in Decision-Making (2 pages, 125 KB)
- Thinking about applying for one of our vacancies? Get the scoop - Working at PHARMAC (2 pages, 255 KB)
- Who or what is PTAC? What does it do? Role of the Pharmacology & Therapeutics Advisory Committee (2 pages, 352 KB)
If you have any feedback or general comments to make about any of these information sheets, please 
email us.
Page updated on 21 Jan 2010
Linked documents
Introduction to PHARMAC (2 pages, 150 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Introduction to PHARMAC What is PHARMAC? PHARMAC is the New Zealand Government agency that decides, on behalf of District Health Boards, which medicines are subsidised. PHARMAC, a Crown Entity, was created in 1993 to ensure that New…
Our History (2 pages, 419 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet PHARMAC’s history During the 1980s medicines prices were increasing at a faster rate than other healthcare spending, and were one of the fastest growing items of Government expenditure. Growth of more than 20% each year meant medicine…
Our Place in the Medicines System (2 pages, 132 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Our place in the medicines system Our roles PHARMAC has four main roles. These are: • managing the Pharmaceutical Schedule, the list of government-subsidised medicines • promoting the optimal use of medicines • managing subsidies on medicines…
Setting & Managing the Community Pharmceutical Budget (2 pages, 130 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Setting and managing the Community Pharmaceutical Budget Having a budget Most people use a budget to manage their household spending. We take a similar approach to manage spending on medicines. Having a budget means you have to…
Making Funding Decisions (2 pages, 149 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Making funding decisions The medicine funding environment None of us can have everything we want; our personal resources only stretch so far. The same is true of healthcare, and medicines. There will always be a greater demand…
Purchasing Medicines (2 pages, 127 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Purchasing Medicines PHARMAC and medicines purchasing Many countries have a national agency to manage Governmentfunding for medicines. In New Zealand the list of funded (subsidised) medicines, and the rules applying to funding, are contained in the ‘Pharmaceutical…
The Truth about Generic Medicines (2 pages, 120 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet The truth about generic medicines Just because a generic medicine is cheaper, it will still work the same. All generic medicines have to go through bioequivalence testing to make sure that they work the same way as…
Targeting Medicines (2 pages, 123 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Targeting medicines Why target medicines? Some medicines treat many illnesses and how they are used is the decision of the doctor writing the prescription. When it comes to funding medicines, we want funding to go to the…
Managing Medicine Supply (2 pages, 125 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Managing medicine supply Many people depend on regular supply of medicine to maintain their health, so continued availability of funded medicines is of concern to PHARMAC. Medicine supply problems occur throughout the world for a number of…
Inside the Pharmaceutical Schedule (2 pages, 210 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Inside the Pharmaceutical Schedule What is the Pharmaceutical Schedule? The Pharmaceutical Schedule is a list of all the medicines and therapeutic products that PHARMAC subsidises. There are about 2000 subsidised medicines. The Schedule lists medicines by chemical…
Optimal Use of Medicines (2 pages, 220 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Optimal Use of Medicines Making the best use of medicines The debate about access to medicines is often focused around new medicines. But getting the best out of what’s already in the medicines “toolbox” is just as…
Inequalities in Access to Medicines (2 pages, 412 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Inequalities in access to medicines Access to medicine in New Zealand The Pharmaceutical Schedule provides funded access to medicines for all New Zealanders. However, we know that there are groups of people who access medicines more readily…
Listening to Consumers - role of the Consumer Advisory Committee (2 pages, 90 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Listening to consumers - Role of the Consumer Advisory Committee The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) helps PHARMAC better understand consumer and patient perspectives. CAC Consumer Advisory Committee Considering Consumer perspectives Our work directly affects the lives of…
Getting Involved in PHARMAC Decision-Making (2 pages, 125 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Getting involved in PHARMAC decision-making Consultation Most New Zealanders are affected by PHARMAC’s decisions, so it’s important that we understand your views when we are making choices. We consult with the public, when appropriate, about our activities…
Working at PHARMAC (2 pages, 255 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Working at PHARMAC Public good meets commercial interest PHARMAC is a government agency (a Crown Entity), providing all the benefits of working for the ‘public good’. The nature of PHARMAC’s work also, however, includes a strong commercial…
Role of the Pharmacology & Therapeutics Advisory Committee (2 pages, 352 KB)
PHARMAC Information sheet Role of the Pharmacology & Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee Medical Advice Advice from doctors is an important part of PHARMAC’s decisions on medicines funding. This advice is received in a number of…
