Progress report on the Reset Programme

We are reporting monthly on our progress towards our current 90-day action plan (October to December 2025).

A New Strategic Vision

Relationship Managers | Status: In progress – Completed

Expand Pharmac’s engagement function to include dedicated relationship managers to build and maintain relationships with key consumer and patient groups.

A dedicated engagement team is established, operating under a coordinated approach that enhances the organisation’s capacity and capability to build meaningful relationships with key consumer and patient groups.

Milestone Progress

SLT approves the establishment of a consumer relations team

Manager appointed

Consumer Relations Principal Advisors appointed 

CAP working group to provide insights for a successful implementation of the consumer relations team

External Engagement Manager has been appointed. 

CAP working group provided insights on the role of the consumer relations team (25 Sep). This included a recommendation to develop a consumer and patient guide to support engagement and offering to support initial introductions with patient advocacy groups.

All three Consumer Relations Principal Advisors have been appointed.

Vision and strategy | Status: In progress – On track

To create a new organisational vision and strategy that is outward-focused and inspires both internal and external stakeholders.

A refreshed vision and strategy that sets a clear, ambitious direction for the future and fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation. It will reflect input from staff, consumers, health professionals, and partners, and be championed by SLT as a foundation for Pharmac’s ongoing transformation.

Milestones

Progress

Q2 - Completed

  • Consumer and staff engagement on a proposed vision statement.
  • Board endorsement of the new vision and strategic priorities.
  • Established a project team who regularly meet to support the design and delivery of the action.
  • Engaged with consumers and staff on ideas for the new vision statement. 
  • SLT proposed potential vision statements and strategic priorities to the Board.
  • At the 9 December Board meeting, the Board selected their preferred vision statement and strategic priorities option ahead of external engagement early 2026.

Q3

  • Socialise the proposed vision and strategic priorities with external stakeholders and consumers.
  • Finalise the new vision and strategic priorities.
  • Publish vision and strategy.
  • To be advised.

Q4

  • Statutory reports developed to align with new vision and strategy.
  • Statutory reports approved by Board and tabled in Parliament.
  • Develop a four-year roadmap on how Pharmac will achieve the strategic priorities.
  •  To be advised.

Enhancing consumer engagement and trust

Consultation process | Status: In progress – On track

To develop clear, consistent guidelines for when and how Pharmac consults with consumers across all areas of work, including medicines, medical devices, and strategic or policy initiatives.

Milestones

Progress

Q2 - Completed

  • CAP working group discussion to define the problem and scope the approach.
  • Scope plan with CAP working group recommendations to improve Pharmac’s consultation process.
 A discussion paper was prepared with internal stakeholders for the CAP Working Group, outlining Pharmac’s current consultation process and relevant national and international examples.

A scoping exercise on consultation process improvements was undertaken with the CAP Working Group on 20 November.

It was agreed with CAP working group and staff for improvements to focus on:

  • A consultation policy or framework
  • A patient and consumer resource about how to participate in Pharmac’s consultation
  • A tender consultation flowchart for consumer and patient audiences.

Q3

  • Completion of tools and guidance materials to enhance the organisation’s consultation process.
  • Publish guidance on Pharmac’s website.
  • To be advised.

Embedding lived experience | Status: In progress – On track

To agree on the most effective and practical approach for incorporating lived experience into the medicine funding application process, informed by both international practices and lessons learned from Pharmac’s current approach.

A collaboratively developed and resourced approach is in place, designed in partnership with the working group, that is trusted by consumers and ensures their voices are meaningfully heard and valued in decision-making processes.

Milestones

Progress

Q2 - Completed

  • CAP working group discussion on 4 December to define the problem and scope the approach.
  • Scope plan with CAP working group. recommendations, for capturing and incorporating lived experience into the advice and assessment processes.

A discussion paper was developed with internal stakeholders for the CAP working group meeting, which covered Pharmac’s current process, learnings, and international examples.

A discussion on the potential focus areas for improvement to embed lived experience in the current advice and assessment processes was had with the CAP working group on 4 December.

It was agreed by CAP working group and staff to focus on developing consumer-facing resources to support the current lived experience process.

Q3

Tools and resources are developed to support and incorporate lived experience into the advice and assessment process
  • To be advised.

Improving internal processes

Communications approach | Status: In progress – Delayed

To test and refine the draft Public Affairs Strategy, ensuring it reflects the needs, expectations, and values of the patient community. This will provide a road map for the Communications and Government Services teams for the next five years.

A joined-up communications approach is established in collaboration with the working group, that enables meaningful engagement and participation from the wider patient community, and a more collaborative approach to media releases and communications.

Milestone

Progress
  • CAP working group discussion to provide feedback on the Public Affairs Strategy and advise on a joined-up communications plan.
  • Finalise the Public Affairs Strategy with feedback from the CAP working group.
  • Completion of communications plan template and guidance.
  • CAP working group provided feedback on the draft Public Affairs Strategy on 9 October.
  • Similar discussions took place with CAC in November.
  • Draft Public Affairs Strategy (renamed the Communications Strategy) has been updated to reflect consumer's feedback, and the joined-up communications approach has been drafted. 
  • Both documents were circulated with consumers in December for their feedback in January and will be brought to SLT in February for their approval. 

Medicine funding application process | Status: Completed

To explore and define potential short-term and long-term improvements to the medicines funding application process and gain insights into what consumers see as the most significant challenges and opportunities.

Work through the current funding application process with the working group to prioritise issues and opportunities. This will help inform the next 90-day plans for the Reset Programme and guide future improvement initiatives.

Milestone

Progress
  • CAP working group discussion to scope improvements to the medicines funding application process.

A scoping exercise on the potential focus areas for improvement within the current medicines’ application process, was had with the CAP working group on 21 October.

It was agreed that the focus for the in-person January 2026 meeting is:

  • Timeframes and milestones
  • Prioritisation and ranking process
  • Role and function of advisory committees.

Previous reports

This report and others are available as a PDF download.

More information

The current 90-day plan

About the Consumer and Patient Working group