Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac)
(PHARMAC)
ACTS ADMINISTERED
PHARMAC does not administer any Acts. PHARMAC was established by the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.
FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PHARMAC’s objectives are:
(a) to secure for eligible people in need of pharmaceuticals, the best health outcomes that are reasonably achievable from pharmaceutical treatment and from within the amount of funding provided; and
(b) any other objectives it is given by or under any enactment, or authorised to perform by the Minister by written notice to the board of PHARMAC after consultation with it.
PHARMAC is to perform the following functions, within the amount of funding provided to it and in accordance with its annual plan and any ministerial directions:
(a) to maintain and manage a pharmaceutical schedule that applies consistently throughout New Zealand, including determining eligibility and criteria for the provision of subsidies;
(b) to manage incidental matters arising out of paragraph (a), including in exceptional circumstances providing for subsidies for the supply of pharmaceuticals not on the pharmaceutical schedule;
(c) to engage as it sees fit, but within its operational budget, in research to meet the objectives set out in section 47(a);
(d) to promote the responsible use of pharmaceuticals; and
(e) any other functions it is for the time being given by or under any enactment, or authorised to perform by the Minister by written notice to the board of PHARMAC after consultation with it.
When carrying out its functions PHARMAC must, when it considers it appropriate:
(a) consult on matters that relate to the management of pharmaceutical expenditure with any sections of the public, groups, or individuals that, in the view of PHARMAC, may be affected by decisions on those matters; and
(b) take measures to inform the public, groups, and individuals of PHARMAC’s decisions concerning the pharmaceutical schedule.
PHARMAC must establish:
(a) a pharmacology and therapeutics advisory committee to provide objective advice to PHARMAC on pharmaceuticals and their benefits;
(b) a consumer advisory committee to provide input from a consumer or patient point of view.
Further, PHARMAC may establish any other committees the PHARMAC Board considers appropriate.
The objective of the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) is to provide objective advice to PHARMAC on pharmaceuticals and their benefits. The functions of PTAC are set out in the PTAC guidelines.
The consumer advisory committee is to provide input from a consumer or patient point of view.
STRUCTURE
PHARMAC’s structure is outlined in the organisational chart. This structure reflects the key areas for which PHARMAC has responsibility and associated support functions.
RECORDS
Outlined below is a general description of the records held by PHARMAC:
Management – covers a wide variety of general administrative matters, including accountability arrangements, planning and reporting, human resources, relationship management with District Health Boards, PHARMAC Board and Committees, legal matters and operational expenditure.
Information – this relates to information held on pharmaceutical suppliers and associated matters.
Demand Side – relates to initiatives aimed at promoting the responsible use of medicines and projects concerning the implementation of supply side decisions.
Pharmaceuticals – information on particular therapeutic groups.
Pharmaceutical Reviews – reviews of therapeutic groups.
Research and Analysis – economic analysis.
Pharmaceutical Schedule – information relating to the Management of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES
PHARMAC has an Administration & Procedures Manual which outlines PHARMAC’s policies for staff and useful general information. PHARMAC has also recently developed a comprehensive set of Human Resources policies and procedures.
PHARMAC also has Operating Policies and Procedures which outline the criteria for decision-making on applications for pharmaceutical subsidies. It also has Guidelines for the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee and its sub-committees.
In addition, it has the following:
Legal Risk Fund Policy
PTAC appointment Protocol, and
Delegated Authority Protocol.
CONTACT
PHARMAC
Level 14, Cigna House, 40 Mercer Street
PO Box 10–054
WELLINGTON
Phone: (04) 460 4990
Website: www.pharmac.govt.nz
