Introduction
This policy sets out our commitments to achieve equitable health outcomes and organisational equity.
Purpose
Pharmac prioritises achieving equitable health and hauora outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders. This policy covers our commitments:
- to meet the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 (the Act) requirements, including the Act’s strategic and policy framework, for achieving health equity, and
- respond to the 2022 independent review of Pharmac to secure equitable health outcomes for priority populations.
Scope
This policy applies to all Pharmac’s kaimahi, advisory groups, and the Board. It covers all aspects of Pharmac’s business including how we engage with Māori all population groups with the highest needs, and stakeholders.
Definition of health equity
Pharmac adopts the Manatū Hauora definition of health equity:
‘In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have differences in health that are not only avoidable but unfair and unjust. Equity recognises different people with different levels of advantage require different approaches and resources to get equitable health outcomes.’