Main agencies involved in managing the sector The main 3 agencies involved in this sector are: Medsafe NZ: checks that the medicine meets safety requirements and decides it can be used in New Zealand Pharmac NZ: decide either to publicly fund the medicine (“list” the medicine) or consider the medicine for possible future funding (“rank” the medicine) Medicines NZ: advocates to improve access to modern medicines for New Zealand patients. Medicines New Zealand is an industry association whose members are engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of modern prescription medicines.
Other agencies/stakeholders in the sector: The Minister of Health The Minister takes responsibility for PHARMAC’s performance. Expectations of PHARMAC are set by the Minister who is also involved in appointing the PHARMAC Board. The PHARMAC Board provides reports and briefings regularly to the Minister of Health. Ministry of Health PHARMAC works with the Ministry of Health, which acts on behalf of the Minister, to track its performance. PHARMAC takes part in the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Forum. The aim is to build understanding of health system priorities amongst health agencies and provide leadership to the sector in key areas. Parliament and Members of Parliament As a Crown entity, Parliament holds PHARMAC to account for their actions. PHARMAC helps the Minister respond to Parliamentary Questions (questions asked about their operations by Members of Parliament). Their performance is also scrutinised by Parliament’s Health Select Committee. PHARMAC also assists MPs with queries from their local constituents. District Health Boards (DHBs) DHBs hold the funding for most publicly financed health services, including the Combined Pharmaceutical Budget (CPB) and hospital medical devices. PHARMAC’s Memorandum of Understanding with the DHBs provides a sound basis for working together over time.
Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Landscape of NZ
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