Careers for pharmacists
Help us to decide what medicines to fund, manage medical devices in hospitals, write policy, or keep Pharmac running behind the scenes.
Pharmacist? Join Pharmac!
There are many career opportunities available to pharmacists at Pharmac.
We support our kaimahi to flourish and reach their career aspirations. We are a whānau centred organisation and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
We offer benefits like 5 weeks of annual leave, hybrid working, and a hau ora payment to support your wellbeing.
Hear from our kaimahi
Ruby Gibson, Exceptions Advisor
“My role allows me to draw on my background as a pharmacist in new and meaningful ways. I really enjoy applying my knowledge in an engaging and challenging environment and learning about medicines and conditions I might not have come across otherwise. Having a pharmacy background is also very helpful with navigating complex clinical information and medicine names!”
Anna Owles, Senior Implementation Advisor
(Ngāti Porou me Rongowhakaata)
“Working at Pharmac is really interesting. I owned and managed a pharmacy for 30 years. It’s a real change seeing pharmacy from the other side, seeing everything on a big picture basis rather than within the confines of your own pharmacy. It’s great to be part of an organisation that has such a strong mix of talent and expertise. It gives me confidence that the Pharmac team has the ability to do the best it can for the health of New Zealanders.”
Adrienne Martin, Acting Director Pharmaceuticals
“One of the reasons I love working at Pharmac is the unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people’s health. My pharmacy background has grounded me in what patients and healthcare providers need on the front lines, and mypharmaceutical industry background has strengthened my understanding of how medicines are developed and brought to market."
Being part of a national funding system that improves access to medicines for people all over Aotearoa is incredibly rewarding. It’s a privilege to contribute to decisions that influence health outcomes on such a large scale.”
Roles frequently filled by pharmacists
| Schedule Analyst | Co-ordinate Pharmaceutical Schedule changes and publications |
| Schedule Advice Lead | Provide advice for Pharmaceutical Schedule enquiries |
| Tender Analyst | Co-ordinate the annual tender process |
| Therapeutic Group Manager | Lead and manage our strategies and decision-making processes for funding and expenditure management, within assigned therapeutic groups |
| Schedule Development Manager | Lead the development and continual improvement of the Pharmaceutical Schedule |
| Funding Application Advisors | Appraise and manage applications for the funding of pharmaceuticals |
| Exceptions Advisor | Coordinate and manage applications for funding of pharmaceuticals for individuals under the Exceptional Circumstances Framework |
| Device Category Manager | Lead and manage Pharmac’s processes for device funding and expenditure management |
| Contract Manager | Monitor, analyse, and manage supplier contracts |
| Procurement Manager | Establish national agreements and develop market approaches |
| Project Advisor | Plan and lead projects relating to funding applications and process improvements |
Apply for a role at Pharmac
We’re proud of the role we play to protect and improve the wellbeing of New Zealand.
Apply for a role at Pharmac(external link)
Hiwinui Heke Scholarships
In partnership with the Māori Pharmacists’ Association, Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa (MPA) and Pharmac, this scholarship was established to support the education of Māori pharmacy students studying toward their Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, and to promote pharmacy as a career.
- Find your career at Pharmac [PDF 949 KB]