Charities Commission Registration CC22512

Can we have confidence in Pharmac? - Commentary, 29 April 2005.

Pharmac is regularly criticised for its restrictions on access to pharmaceutical treatments for New Zealanders, and some of its processes are very frustrating for groups to deal with. But there can be no doubt that Pharmac has also done a great deal to reduce the overall cost of pharmaceuticals, and they deserve praise for that.

Lately however there have been increasing concerns with the processes Pharmac use for tender and supply, as starkly demonstrated by the problems getting adequate flu vaccine stocks. Many other smaller but significant problems exist under the radar screens as well, and a large number of non government organisations are campaigning over problems with access to therapies.

NZORD thinks it is time the increasing chorus of dissatisfaction was responded to with a review of how Pharmac operates, and whether it has the resources to do its job properly. But some key things should not be forgotten in all of this. Pharmac is set up by the government to make rationing decisions. They are given a limited budget and cannot spend money they do not have.

A careful analysis of their role and their resources may identify some process and attitude problems, but it should certainly also identify that the government simply has not given Pharmac enough money to do the job it is charged with - getting pharmaceuticals for New Zealanders in need of them.

We hope one of the outcomes of the current debates will be some shift of emphasis among politicians and health planners that pharmaceuticals are a good investment in the health of New Zealanders, and not simply a cost item. With additional funds, maybe some confidence in Pharmac could be restored.

John Forman
Executive Director