First 90-Day Plan completed in the Reset Programme
Pharmac’s Consumer and Patient Working Group, in collaboration with Pharmac staff, has successfully completed the first 90-day action plan of the 12-month Reset Programme.
The Reset Programme is the first phase of Pharmac’s five-year improvement journey, focused on delivering meaningful change for consumers and patients, while laying the groundwork for long-term reform.
“The reset programme supports Pharmac to be a more outward-focussed and transparent organisation that values and actively engages with consumers and stakeholders, we’re focused on putting patients and their families at the centre of everything we do,” says Pharmac Chief Executive, Natalie McMurtry.
The first 90-day plan, which ran from 1 July to 30 September 2025, began with the appointment of a 10-member Consumer and Patient Working Group, chaired by patient advocate Dr Malcolm Mulholland. Four key actions were completed:
- Pae Ora legislation amendment advice - Feedback from the Consumer and Patient Working Group and the Consumer Advisory Committee on potential changes to the Pae Ora legislation related to Pharmac was incorporated into advice provided to the Associate Minister of Health.
- Build a Consumer Network - A consumer advocate database has been developed and populated with contacts, provided by the Consumer and Patient Working Group, representing a diverse range of health conditions and communities with high health needs. This will support ongoing engagement with consumers and patients.
- Enhance future budget bids - Feedback was sought from the Consumer and Patient Working Group on how patient impact could be better reflected in Pharmac’s data to strengthen future Budget bids. Budget 2025/26 information was proactively released to support informed consumer input and advice.
- Pharmac Review recommendations - Pharmac published an update on its progress in responding to the 2022 Pharmac Review recommendations, providing greater clarity for patients.
One additional action is currently in progress:
- Consumer relations team - Pharmac is expanding its engagement function to include dedicated relationship managers who will build and maintain relationships with key consumer and patient groups.
“We’ve already got some runs on the board in this first quarter, and next we’ll be diving into the processes that matter most to consumers and patients. Pharmac’s work is vitally important, and our focus is on helping the organisation to work as well as it can,” says Chair of the Consumer and Patient Working Group Dr Malcolm Mulholland.
Progress updates and meeting minutes from the Working Group are available on the Pharmac Reset Programme website.
More information about next steps is available: Pharmac Reset Programme completes first 90-Day Plan
This story is part of our Kauneke Update
The Kauneke Update will keep you informed on important news and progress towards Pharmac's strategic goals. In te reo Māori, kauneke means to develop and move forward.