Specialist advisory committees

Last updated

28 September 2023:

  • Agenda for October meeting of Cancer Treatment Advisory Committee added
  • Meeting record added for Mental Health Advisory Committee

27 September 2023: Membership of the Ophthalmology Advisory Committee updated

15 September 2023: Agenda for 19 September Neurological Advisory Committee meeting added

12 September 2023: Membership of the Tender Clinical Advisory Committee updated 

About specialist advisory committees

Pharmac’s specialist advisory committees provide Pharmac with objective specialist knowledge and expertise within specific clinical areas, such as diabetes, cancer, and mental health. They meet as needed to discuss issues within their clinical areas.

The specialist advisory committees have a different, but complementary, role from PTAC. Their expertise and perspectives can differ from PTAC. 

PTAC and specialist advisory committees may make recommendations to Pharmac that differ from each other when looking at the same evidence. Pharmac considers the recommendations provided by all our clinical advisory committees when assessing applications.

Members of specialist advisory committees are appointed by the Pharmac board. They are not Pharmac employees, but we do pay for their travel and time. 

Note: before November 2021, specialist advisory committees were called Subcommittees.