Reset programme

The aim, principles and workstreams of the reset programme

Following a series of external reviews and stakeholder workshops, Pharmac is changing how it operates and improving its organisational culture to better meet public and stakeholder expectations.

The aim of this reset programme phase is to lay the foundation for a more transparent, outward focused, and collaborative organisation.

A five-year improvement programme is an organisational priority that will occur in two phases. The 12-month reset began on 1 July to deliver tangible change and establish foundational improvements to support future reform.

The Reset Programme is guided by the following principles of:

• Partnership with consumers and staff
• Delivering tangible change to consumers and patients
• High visibility and transparency
• Building enduring foundations for future improvement
• Prioritised and resourced

Based on recurring themes from external reviews and stakeholder feedback, the Reset Programme has three workstreams to contribute to the wider reform of Pharmac:

1. A new strategic vision
2. Enhancing consumer engagement and trust
3. Better processes.

Current 90-day action plan for the reset programme

We will deliver the reset programme using four different 90-day plans. The first 90-day plan runs from 1 July to 30 September 2025. Each plan will deliver some five to 10 actions.

The current eight actions are based on recommendations from external reviews, focussing on establishing the partnership approach for the reset programme, building trust with consumers, and looking for quick wins.

The eight actions of the first 90-day plan are:

Action	Description	Workstreams 1-3
1. Establish consumer working group	Establish a consumer working group to support the design and delivery of the reset programme. The members will be selected by the consumer and patient community.	2. Enhancing consumer engagement and trust
2. Consumer network	Build a consumer advocate network and database that represents health conditions and communities with high health needs.	2. Enhancing consumer engagement and trust
3. Relationship managers	Expand Pharmac’s engagement function to include dedicated relationship managers to build and maintain relationships with key consumer and patient groups.	2. Enhancing consumer engagement and trust
4. Pharmac Review recommendations	Publish an update on the recommendations from the 2022 Pharmac Review to provide clarity to consumers on progress.	2. Enhancing consumer engagement and trust
5. 2026/27 budget bid	Seek feedback from consumers on Pharmac’s budget bid for 2026/27 to incorporate into advice to the Minister. Budget 2025/26 information proactively released to support consumer advice.	2. Enhancing consumer engagement and trust
6. Pae Ora legislation amendment advice	Seek feedback from consumers on possible changes to the Pae Ora legislation related to Pharmac to incorporate into advice to the Minister.	1.A new strategic vision
7. Joined up communications planning	Develop joined up communications planning approach between consumer advocacy groups and Pharmac and seek feedback on Pharmac’s public affairs strategy.	3.Better processes
8. Clinical meeting recommendations	Seek feedback from consumers on the timeliness changes to clinical meeting recommendations to understand if it is meeting consumer needs and expectations.	3.Better processes

The partnership approach is with consumers and staff to develop and deliver the reset programme, including prioritising and scoping actions together.

Progress reports against the 90-day plan

Consumer and Patient working group

This new working group is partnering with Pharmac to provide insight, lived experience, and practical advice to ensure that the Pharmac Reset Programme is designed in a way that values and reflects the needs, values, and perspectives of consumers and patients.

About the Consumer and Patient Working Group

Reset Programme Governance Group

A governance group has been established to provide oversight of the overall improvement programme deliverables to ensure diverse perspectives are integrated into decision-making.

The governance group includes five members plus the reset programme manager:

• Executive Sponsor: Pharmac Chief Executive
• Senior Responsible Officer: Pharmac Director Strategy, Policy and Performance
• Consumer Representative: Consumer and Patient Working Group Chair
• Consumer Representative: Consumer Advisory Committee Chair
• External Advisor: Ministry of Health Group Manager Strategy, Policy and Legislation
• Pharmac Reset Programme Manager 

Who to contact

To find out more about the Reset Programme, email resetprogramme@pharmac.govt.nz