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 – Delayed

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. 

Two Consumer Relations Principal Advisors have been appointed, and recruitment is in the final stages for the last vacant role.

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.

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

  • Consumer and staff engagement on a proposed vision statement.
  • Board endorsement of the new vision and strategic priorities.
  • Engaged with consumers and staff on ideas for the new vision statement. These will be presented to SLT at their planning day on 12 November.
  • SLT have proposed vision statement options that reflect consumer and staff feedback, and suggested strategic priorities to put forward to the Board in December.
  • Established a project team who regularly meet to support the design and delivery of the action.

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

  • 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.
  • Discussion paper has been developed with internal stakeholders for the 20 November CAP working group meeting, which covers Pharmac’s current consultation process, and international and national examples.

A scoping exercise on consultation process improvements was undertaken with the CAP Working Group on 20 November, resulting in agreement 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

  • 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 has been prepared with internal stakeholders for the 4 December CAP Working Group, outlining Pharmac’s consultation process, supporting research, international examples, and prior consumer insights.

Q3

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

Improving internal processes

Communications approach | Status: In progress – On track

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 are taking place with CAC in November.
  • Draft Public Affairs Strategy will be updated in November based on consumer feedback and brought back to CAP working group for endorsement in December.
  • The joined-up communications approach has been drafted and is being reviewed internally, ahead of being shared with consumers for their endorsement in December.

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