Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC)

About PTAC

PTAC provides objective clinical advice to help Pharmac make decisions about how to use its funds wisely. It provides and promotes critical appraisal of the strength and quality of evidence for funding applications. This is applied rigorously, systematically, and consistently across all clinical areas.

It's made up of senior health practitioners from a range of specialities, who also regularly work with patients and their families. This means they can bring an evidence-based perspective but also provide insight on how Pharmac’s decisions apply to real people in New Zealand.

The full details of PTAC’s remit can be found in its Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference were updated in 2021 to include the potential to have a consumer member, and increase consumer perspectives, on PTAC. Te Tiriti and health equity expertise are also more strongly centred than previously.

A recommendation from PTAC is not a guarantee that Pharmac will fund the medicine. PTAC’s advice is a vital step in the process for considering all funding applications, but it is not the only consideration. Pharmac must look at the whole picture to ensure we are getting the best health outcomes for New Zealand. 

Pharmac's prioritisation process

We publish PTAC minutes on the website once they are agreed by the committee.

PTAC members

• Rhiannon Braund (Deputy Chair / Acting Chair) – Head, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
  PhD, BPharm, BSc (Biochemistry), FPS, FNZCP, RegPharmNZ
• Brian Anderson – Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine Specialist
  MBChB, Dip Obst, FANZCA, FCICM, PhD
• Matthew Dawes – Physician and Clinical Pharmacologist
  BSc, MB BS, MRCP, PhD 
• Elizabeth Dennett – General Surgery - Colorectal
  BMedSci, MBChB, GradDipMed, MMedSci, MAppMgt(Hlth), FRACS, FASCRS
• Helen Evans – Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
  BSc, MBChB, MRCPCH, FRACP
• Bruce King – Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology 
  MBChB, FRACP
• Liza Lack – Clinical Director, National Hauora Coalition – Waikato
  BMedSci, MB,BS,DRCOG,DFFPA,DCH,PGDip GP (Hons), Dip Strategic Management (Hons), Master Health Science
• James Le Fevre – Emergency Medicine Specialist
  MBChB, FACEM, MBA, CMInstD
• Robyn Manuel – Consumer Member
  BSc, MSc (1st class), PhD (Chemistry), PGDip.Public Health, Dip.Te Reo Maori, GradDip.Teaching (Secondary). Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kurī and Te Aupōuri
• John Mottershead – Consultant Neurologist
  FRACP, FRCP BM BCh, BA (oxon), MSc (Distinction)
• Stephen Munn – Transplant Surgeon
  MBChB, FRACS, FACS
• Matthew Strother – Medical Oncologist
  MD (USA), FRACP
• Paul Vroegop – Child & Adolescent Liaison Psychiatrist and Specialist Pain Medicine Physician
  MBChB, FRANZCP, FFPMANZCA

PTAC members are appointed by the Director-General of Health, in consultation with the Pharmac Board. This process is guided by an appointment protocol [PDF, 72 KB].

Interested senior health practitioners can apply directly or are nominated by professional medical bodies, such as the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Vacancies are posted on the Pharmac careers page(external link).

PTAC's part in the funding process

PTAC's role in considering funding applications is set out in Pharmac’s Operating Policies and Procedures. Pharmac will assess the initial funding application and notify the applicant whether:

• it will be considered by PTAC
• it will be considered by an advisory committee, or
• further information is required before an assessment can be made.

How to make a funding application

If you are seeking funding for a specific patient with exceptional circumstances, you can submit a Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) application. 

The NPPA process 

Advisory committee meeting agenda setting

The scheduling and agenda setting process for advisory meetings considers multiple factors. We aim to balance the relative priorities of:

• clinical advice needed across indications
• the factors for consideration for each application (such as, unmet health need)
• the time since applications were received
• the internal and advisor resource available to support each meeting.

Deadlines for PTAC meetings

If Pharmac chooses to seek PTAC advice on a funding application, the application must have been received by the following dates to be available for consideration at one of PTAC’s four annual meetings. 

May 2025 PTAC meeting agenda

Summary of applications being discussed at the May 2025 PTAC meeting

Records of PTAC meetings

2024 Committee meeting records

PTAC record – November 2024 (published 24 April 2025) [PDF, 729 KB]

PTAC record – August 2024 (published 15 November 2024) [PDF, 535 KB]

PTAC record – May 2024 (published 12 August 2024) [PDF, 995 KB]

PTAC record – February 2024 (published 1 May 2024) [PDF, 847 KB] [PDF, 796 KB]

Who to contact

If you have any questions regarding PTAC, please contact the Expert Advice Coordinator at ptac@pharmac.govt.nz