Timely Assessment Programme (TAP)

What is the Timely Assessment Programme  

The Timely Assessment Programme (TAP) is the next phase of Pharmac’s work to transform the way it operates and improve organisational culture. It will be delivered over the next four years and will build on the momentum created by the 12-month Reset Programme.  

TAP will be delivered through a dedicated Programme Delivery Office and have an initial focus on advice and assessment process improvements.  

This will include clearing the backlog of older applications, setting clear and consistent assessment timeframes, and making it easier for people to engage with Pharmac when they make applications. 

The voices of consumers, patients, staff and others will continue to be an integral part of the programme, with a new consumer advisory function to be established. An interim committee will be in place for six months while the new group is established.  

Purpose of the programme  

The purpose of the programme is to establish a modern and trusted assessment and advice model that provides:   

• Quicker and more predictable funding decisions, with clearer pathways so patients and their whānau know what to expect and when.  

• Greater openness and opportunities for patients to be heard, helping build trust and confidence while still protecting commercially sensitive information.   

• More reliability and responsiveness, supported by better systems and processes, improving the overall experience for patients and whānau.   

• Better coordination and consistency across medicines and medical devices, making the process easier to understand and navigate.  

Principles of the programme   

The programme will operate under the same principles established by the Reset Programme:  

• We will design in partnership with consumers, health professionals, suppliers, health sector partners, and staff 
• Our focus will be on delivering tangible, high-impact outcomes  
• We will maintain transparency and visibility of progress  
• We will ensure that what we deliver aligns with broader strategic priorities and organisational initiatives. 

What we aim to deliver in the first year   

In the first year the 12 months the programme aims to:   

• Reduce Pharmac’s historic application backlog  
• Update application acceptance criteria and strengthen how we triage applications 
• Introduce an 18-month timeframe target for ranking applications  
• Improve the quality of our data and make the progress of applications more visible  
• Establish a new consumer advisory group 
• Conduct an expert advice review including the role of consumers on the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee
• Enhance the publishing of meeting records  
• Complete a review of the Exceptional Circumstances Framework.    

Who to contact 

To find out more about the Timely Assessment Programme, email programmedeliveryoffice@pharmac.govt.nz