Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC)
PTAC's role is to provide objective clinical advice to Pharmac.
On this page
We're recruiting
We are looking for new members to join the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) in 2025. Applications are welcome for the roles of PTAC Chair and up to three PTAC members. Applications close 6pm, 12 November 2024.
Find the full advertisement and job descriptions on our careers website(external link)
Updates to this page
15 November 2024 | August 24 committee meeting record added
6 November 2024 | Link to Agenda for November meeting added
About PTAC
PTAC provides objective clinical advice to help Pharmac make decisions about how to use its funds wisely. It provides and promotes critical appraisal of the strength and quality of evidence for funding applications. This is applied rigorously, systematically, and consistently across all clinical areas.
It's made up of senior health practitioners from a range of specialities, who also regularly work with patients and their families. This means they can bring an evidence-based perspective but also provide insight on how Pharmac’s decisions apply to real people in New Zealand.
The full details of PTAC’s remit can be found in its Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference were updated in 2021 to include the potential to have a consumer member, and increase consumer perspectives, on PTAC. Te Tiriti and health equity expertise are also more strongly centred than previously.
A recommendation from PTAC is not a guarantee that Pharmac will fund the medicine. PTAC’s advice is a vital step in the process for considering all funding applications, but it is not the only consideration. Pharmac must look at the whole picture to ensure we are getting the best health outcomes for New Zealand.
Pharmac's prioritisation process
We publish PTAC minutes on the website once they are agreed by the committee.
PTAC members
- Jane Thomas (Chair) – Paediatric Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine Specialist
MBChB, FANZCA, FFPMANZCA - Brian Anderson – Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine Specialist
MBChB, Dip Obst, FANZCA, FCICM, PhD - Rhiannon Braund (Deputy Chair) – Clinical Pharmacist
PhD, BPharm, BSc (Biochemistry), FPS, FNZCP - Matthew Dawes – Physician and Clinical Pharmacologist
BSc, MB BS, MRCP, PhD - Elizabeth Dennett – General Surgery - Colorectal
BMedSci, MBChB, GradDipMed, MMedSci, MAppMgt(Hlth), FRACS, FASCRS - Helen Evans – Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology
BSc, MBChB, MRCPCH, FRACP - Bruce King – Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology
MBChB, FRACP - Liza Lack – Clinical Director, National Hauora Coalition – Waikato
BMed Sci, MB,BS,DRCOG,DFFPA,DCH,PG Dip GP (Hons),Dip Strategic Management (Hons),Master Health Science - James Le Fevre - Emergency Medicine Specialist
MBChB, FACEM, MBA, CMInstD - Robyn Manuel – Consumer Member
BSc, MSc (1st class), PhD (Chemistry), PGDip.Public Health, Dip.Te Reo Maori, GradDip.Teaching (Secondary). Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kurī and Te Aupōuri - John Mottershead – Consultant Neurologist
FRACP, FRCP BM BCh, BA (oxon), MSc (Distinction) - Stephen Munn – Transplant Surgeon
MBChB, FRACS, FACS - Matthew Strother – Medical Oncologist
MD (USA), FRACP - Paul Vroegop – Child & Adolescent Liaison Psychiatrist and Specialist Pain Medicine Physician
MBChB, FRANZCP, FFPMANZCA
PTAC members are appointed by the Director-General of Health, in consultation with the Pharmac Board. This process is guided by an appointment protocol [PDF, 72 KB].
Interested senior health practitioners can apply directly or are nominated by professional medical bodies, such as the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Vacancies are posted on the Pharmac careers page(external link).
PTAC's part in the funding process
PTAC's role in considering funding applications is set out in Pharmac’s Operating Policies and Procedures. Pharmac will assess the initial funding application and notify the applicant whether:
- it will be considered by PTAC
- it will be considered by a PTAC subcommittee, or
- further information is required before an assessment can be made.
How to make a funding application
If you are seeking funding for a specific patient with exceptional circumstances, you can submit a Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) application.
Deadlines for PTAC meetings
If Pharmac chooses to seek PTAC advice on a funding application, the application must have been received by the following dates to be available for consideration at one of PTAC’s four annual meetings.
| Deadline for an application to be received by Pharmac, to be considered by PTAC: | PTAC’s meeting date: |
|---|---|
| 14 February 2025 | |
| 10 February 2025 | 15 and 16 May 2025 |
| 19 May 2025 | 15 August 2025 |
| 18 August 2025 | 13 and 14 November 2025 |
November 2024 PTAC meeting agenda
Summary of applications being discussed at the November 2024 PTAC meeting
2024 Committee meeting records
PTAC record – August 2024 (published 15 November 2024) [PDF, 535 KB]
PTAC record – May 2024 (published 12 August 2024) [PDF, 995 KB]
PTAC record – February 2024 (published 1 May 2024) [PDF, 847 KB] [PDF, 796 KB]
Who to contact
If you have any questions regarding PTAC, please contact the Expert Advice Coordinator at ptac@pharmac.govt.nz