Source: PHARMAC
“The recent external reviews have highlighted the need for Pharmac to continue evolving into a more outward-focused and transparent organisation,” says Pharmac’s Director Strategy, Policy & Performance Michael Johnson.
A five-year change programme commenced on 1 July. It will occur in two phases, starting with an initial 12-month reset.
“While some changes can be made quickly, other changes will take longer to make. In the first 12 months, we want to focus on making improvements that benefit consumers, and lay strong foundations for the future change work”, he says.
A working group, made up of patient advocates and consumer representatives, is being established to support the development and delivery of the reset programme. This supports recommendations from the Consumer Engagement Workshop Report released in March 2025.
“This group will provide insight, lived experience, and practical advice to ensure that the reset programme is designed in a way that reflects the needs, values, and perspectives of consumers,” says Johnson.
Patient advocate Dr Malcolm Mulholland has been elected by the consumer and patient community as the Chair of this group.
Dr Mulholland said, “We’ve waited a long time for this opportunity. The work that Pharmac does is vitally important for the health of patients and their families, and this is why getting Pharmac to work as well as it can, will be the focus of the working group.”
