Pharmac Invites Feedback Before Possible Medicine Brand Changes

Pharmac is beginning early engagement and consultation on possible medicine brand changes as part of its annual tender process, inviting people to share what a brand change could mean for them and what support may be needed.

Each year, Pharmac runs the annual tender to secure supply and get the best possible value for many of the funded medicines used by New Zealanders.

These changes help reduce the cost of medicines Pharmac already funds and allow us to free up between $30 million and $50 million each year, which can be reinvested into funding new medicines.

As part of this process, the funded brand of a medicine can sometimes change. Pharmac is now engaging directly with consumer advocacy group representatives early in the process, ahead of any decisions being made, alongside a formal public consultation.

“We’re consulting early because we want to understand the realworld impacts of a brand change before any decisions are made,” says Pharmac’s Acting Director Pharmaceuticals, Claire Pouwels. “Hearing directly from these representatives helps us make more informed decisions and plan appropriate support.”

The consultation focuses on the impact of possible brand changes, rather than on specific suppliers or brands. Pharmac is seeking feedback from people who use the medicines included in the consultation, as well as prescribers, pharmacists, consumer advocacy groups and other health professionals.

“We want to know what a change could mean daytoday for people, whether there are groups who might find a change more difficult, and what would help if a change were to happen,” says Pouwels.

Pharmac says this approach reflects a stronger focus on early engagement as part of its decisionmaking, particularly with people who may be most affected by brand changes.

“We know that brand changes can be challenging for some people, and it’s important that we listen,” says Pouwels. “This consultation gives people an opportunity to share their experiences and tell us what matters to them.”

No decisions have been made about whether any medicine brands will change. Feedback from the consultation will be considered alongside clinical and technical advice before any decisions are made.

The consultation will be open for submissions until Monday 4 May. A list of the medicines included and details on how to provide feedback are available on Pharmac’s website.

“We encourage people to take part,” says Pouwels. “Your feedback plays an important role in shaping how we make decisions and how any changes are managed.”

Feedback can be submitted via an online form or by emailing tenderconsult@pharmac.govt.nz.

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