Specialist advisory committees

Last updated

16 & 17 May 2023 - Committee memberships updated

About specialist advisory committees

Pharmac’s specialist advisory committees provide Pharmac with 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 to make clear that these committees have different, but complementary, roles, expertise and perspectives to 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.

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

Read the specialist advisory committee terms of reference

Analgesic Advisory Committee

Members of the Analgesic Advisory Committee

Dr Giles Newton-Howes – Psychiatrist (Chair, PTAC Member)
Dr Tipu Aamir – Pain Medicine Specialist
Dr Leinani Aiono-Le Tagaloa – Pain Specialist
Prof Brian Anderson – Paediatric Anaesthetist / Intensivist (PTAC Member)
Dr Catherine D'Souza – Director Palliative Care
Dr Bruce King – Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology (PTAC Member)
Dr Christopher Lynch – Neurologist
Dr Jane Thomas – Paediatric Anaesthetist (PTAC Chair)
Dr Alana Wilson – Specialist General Practitioner

Records of the Analgesic Advisory Committee

Anti-Infective Advisory Committee

Members of the Anti-Infective Advisory Committee

Prof Rhiannon Braund – Clinical Pharmacist (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr Emma Best – Paediatric Infectious Diseases Consultant
Dr Simon Briggs – Infectious Diseases Physician
Dr James Chisnall – General Practitioner
Dr Elizabeth Dennett – General Surgery – Colorectal (PTAC Member)
Mr Eamon Duffy – Antimicrobial Pharmacist
Prof Ed Gane – Hepatologist
Dr Sean Hanna – General Practitioner
Dr Jane Morgan – Sexual Health Physician

Records of the Anti-Infective Advisory Committee

Cancer Treatments Advisory Committee (previously CaTSoP)

Members of the Cancer Treatments Advisory Committee

Dr Stephen Munn – Transplant Surgeon (Chair, PTAC Member)
Dr Scott Babington – Radiation Oncologist
Dr Oliver Brake – Haematologist
Prof Christopher Frampton – Biostatistician
Assoc Prof Chris Hemmings – Anatomic Pathologist
Dr Richard Isaacs – Medical Oncologist
Dr Allanah Kilfoyle – Haematologist
Dr Alice Loft – Medical Oncologist
Dr Vidya Mathavan – Haematologist
Dr Anne O'Donnell – Oncologist
Dr Matthew Strother – Medical Oncologist (PTAC Member)
Dr Lochie Teague – Paediatric Haematologist / Oncologist
Dr Michelle Wilson – Medical Oncologist

Records of the Cancer Treatments Advisory Committee

Cardiovascular Advisory Committee

Members of the Cardiovascular Advisory Committee

Prof Tim Stokes – General Practitioner (Chair, PTAC Member)
Dr Andrew Aitken – Cardiologist
Dr John Elliott – Cardiologist
Dr Mayanna Lund – Cardiologist
Prof Jennifer Martin – Clinical Pharmacologist (PTAC member)
Dr Richard Medlicott – General Practitioner
Prof Mark Webster – Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Samuel Whittaker – General Practitioner

Records of the Cardiovascular Advisory Committee

Dermatology Advisory Committee

Prof Lisa Stamp – Rheumatologist (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr Marius Rademaker – Dermatologist (Co-Chair, PTAC member)
Prof Rhiannon Braund – Clinical Pharmacist (PTAC member)
Dr Martin Denby – General Practitioner
Dr Paul Jarrett – Dermatologist
Dr Sharad Paul – General Practitioner
Dr Diana Purvis – Dermatologist / Paediatrician

Minutes of the Dermatology Subcommittee

Diabetes Advisory Committee

Members of the Diabetes Advisory Committee

Dr Elizabeth Dennett – General Surgery – Colorectal (Chair, PTAC Member)
Dr Nic Crook – Diabetologist
Dr Sean Hanna – General Practitioner
Dr Bruce King – Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology (PTAC member)
Dr Helen Lunt – Adult Diabetes Specialist
Dr Karen MacKenzie – Paediatric Endocrinologist
Dr Diana McNeill – General Physician / Diabetes Specialist
Prof Rinki Murphy – Specialist Diabetes Physician
Ms Angela Renall – Clinical Pharmacist
Ms Kate Smallman – Diabetes Nurse Specialist / Prescriber
Dr Esko Wiltshire – Paediatric Endocrinologist

Records of the Diabetes Advisory Committee

Endocrinology Advisory Committee

Members of the Endocrinology Advisory Committee

Dr Simon Wynn Thomas – General Practitioner (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr Richard Carroll – Endocrinologist
Prof Alistair Gunn – Paediatric Endocrinologist
Dr Bruce King – Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology (PTAC member)
Dr Stella Milsom – Endocrinologist
Dr Bruce Small – General Practitioner
Dr Esko Wiltshire – Paediatric Endocrinologist

Records of the Endocrinology Advisory Committee

Gastrointestinal Advisory Committee

Members of the Gastrointestinal Advisory Committee

Dr Bruce King – Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology (Chair, PTAC member)
Prof Murray Barclay – Clinical Pharmacologist / Gastroenterologist
Dr Jonathan Bishop – Paediatric Gastroenterologist
Assoc Prof Alan Fraser – Gastroenterologist (PTAC member)
Assoc Prof Michael Schultz – Gastroenterologist
Assoc Prof Catherine Stedman – Gastroenterologist / Hepatologist and Clinical Pharmacologist
Dr Russell Walmsley – Gastroenterologist
Dr Simon Wynn Thomas – General Practitioner (PTAC member)

Records of the Gastrointestinal Advisory Committee

Haematology Advisory Committee

Members of the Haematology Advisory Committee

Prof Brian Anderson – Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Specialist (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr Paul Harper – Haematologist
Dr Eileen Merriman – Haematologist
Assoc Prof Paul Ockelford – Haematologist
Dr Julia Phillips – Haematologist
Dr Lochie Teague – Paediatric Haematologist / Oncologist

Records of the Haematology Advisory Committee

Immunisation Advisory Committee

Members of the Immunisation Advisory Committee

Dr Stephen Munn – Transplant Surgeon (Chair, PTAC member)
Prof Stuart Dalziel – Paediatrician
Dr Sean Hanna – General Practitioner
Prof Karen Hoare – Nurse Practitioner / Senior Lecturer
Assoc Prof Lance Jennings – Clinical Virologist
Dr Osman Mansoor – Public Health Physician / Medical Officer of Health
Dr Edwin (Gary) Reynolds – General Practitioner
Dr Michael Tatley – Director of New Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre
Assoc Prof Nikki Turner – Director of Immunisation
Dr Tony Walls – Paediatrician / Infectious Diseases Specialist
Dr Elizabeth Wilson – Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist

Records of the Immunisation Advisory Committee

Mental Health Advisory Committee

Members of the Mental Health Advisory Committee

Assoc Prof Alan Fraser – Gastroenterologist (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr David Chinn – Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr Bronwyn Copeland – Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Sean Hanna – General Practitioner
Dr Verity Humberstone – Psychiatrist
Dr Jeremy McMinn – Consultant Psychiatrist Addiction Specialist
Assoc Prof David Menkes – Psychiatrist
Dr Giles Newton-Howes – Psychiatrist (PTAC member)
Dr Cathy Stephenson – General Practitioner / Sexual Assault Medical Examiner
Kyra Sycamore – Pharmacist
Karyn Whatson – Nurse Practitioner

Records of the Mental Health Advisory Committee

Nephrology Advisory Committee

Members of the Nephrology Advisory Committee

Dr Elizabeth Dennett – General Surgery – Colorectal (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr Caroline Chembo – Renal Physician
Dr Nick Cross – Nephrologist
Dr Colin Hutchison – Nephrologist
Dr Bruce King – Specialist Internal Medicine and Nephrology (PTAC member)
Dr Kannaiyan Rabindranath – Consultant Nephrologist
Dr William Wong – Paediatric Nephrologist

Records of the Nephrology Advisory Committee

Neurological Advisory Committee

Members of the Neurological Advisory Committee

Dr Giles Newton-Howes – Psychiatrist (Chair, PTAC member)
Prof Brian Anderson – Paediatric Anaesthetist / Intensivist (PTAC Member)
Dr Sarah Buchanan – Neurologist
Dr John Fink – Neurologist
Dr John Mottershead – Neurologist
Prof Lynette Sadlier – Paediatric Neurologist
Dr Paul Timmings – Neurologist

Records of the Neurological Advisory Committee

Ophthalmology Advisory Committee

Members of the Ophthalmology Advisory Committee

Dr Stephen Munn – Transplant Surgeon (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr Jo Sims – Ophthalmologist
Prof Lisa Stamp – Rheumatologist (PTAC member)
Dr Samuel Whittaker – General Practitioner

Records of the Ophthalmology Advisory Committee

Rare Disorders Advisory Committee

Members of the Rare Disorders Advisory Committee

Prof Rhiannon Braund – Clinical Pharmacist (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr James Cleland – Neurologist and Neurophysiologist
Dr Emma Glamuzina – Metabolic Consultant
Prof Carlo Marra – Dean of the School of Pharmacy, University of Otago
Dr Katherine Neas – Clinical Geneticist
Prof Tim Stokes – General Practitioner (PTAC member)

Agenda items for the next Rare Disorders Advisory Committee meeting

Fabry disease (a neurological condition that can affect many parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, and skin)

P-001028: Agalsidase alfa (Enzyme Replacement Therapy)(external link)
P-000444: Migalastat (external link)

MPS (a metabolic condition that primarily affects the skeleton)

P-000341: Elosulfase alfa(external link) Application previously declined 2018 meeting(external link).

Short bowel syndrome (intestinal failure caused from congenital diseases or extensive surgical resection)

P-001020: Teduglutide(external link)

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) (a disease affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and voluntary muscle movement)

P-001865: Onasemnogene abeparvovec(external link) (Zolgensma) – gene therapy
P-001819: Risdiplam(external link) – pre-symptomatic SMA
Risdiplam and nusinersen – people not currently eligible
- SMA types IIIb and IIIc (symptomatic after 3 years of age)
- People with any type who are aged 19 years and over
- SMA type IV (adult-onset) aged 19 years and over at symptom onset

Records of the Rare Disorders Advisory Committee

Reproductive and Sexual Health Advisory Committee

Members of the Reproductive and Sexual Health Advisory Committee

Dr Simon Wynn Thomas – General Practitioner (Chair, PTAC member)
Prof Rhiannon Braund – Clinical Pharmacist (PTAC member)
Dr Debbie Hughes – General Practitioner
Dr Jane Morgan – Sexual Health Physician
Dr Ian Page – Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Helen Paterson – Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Christine Roke – Sexual Health Physician

Records of the Reproductive and Sexual Health Subcommittee

Respiratory Advisory Committee

Members of the Respiratory Advisory Committee

Dr Matthew Strother – Medical Oncologist (Chair, PTAC Member)
Dr Tim Christmas – Respiratory Physician
Prof Stuart Dalziel – Paediatrician
Dr Greg Frazer – Respiratory Physician
Dr David McNamara – Paediatric Respiratory Physician
Dr Justin Travers – Respiratory Physician
Dr Neil Whittaker – General Practitioner

Minutes of the Respiratory Advisory Committee

Rheumatology Advisory Committee

Members of the Rheumatology Advisory Committee

Dr Priscilla Campbell-Stokes – Paediatric Rheumatologist
Dr Keith Colvine – Rheumatologist and General Physician
Dr Michael Corkill – Rheumatologist
Dr Elizabeth Dennett – General Surgery – Colorectal (PTAC Member)
Assoc Prof Alan Fraser – Gastroenterologist (PTAC member)
Assoc Prof Andrew Harrison – Rheumatologist
Dr Janet Hayward – General Physician
Assoc Prof Will Taylor – Rheumatologist

Records of the Rheumatology Advisory Committee

Special Foods Advisory Committee

Members of the Special Foods Advisory Committee

Prof Jennifer Martin – Clinical Pharmacologist (Chair, PTAC member)
Assoc Prof Alan Fraser – Gastroenterologist (PTAC member)
Mrs Kim Herbison – Paediatric Dietitian
Miss Nicola Hartley – Dietitian, Clinical Leader – Acute Inpatient Services
Ms Nicola McCarthy – Clinical Dietitian
Dr Amin Roberts – Paediatric Gastroenterologist
Dr Russell Walmsley – Gastroenterologist
Dr Jocy Wood – General Practitioner
Ms Victoria Woollett (nee Logan) – Community Dietitian

Records of the Special Foods Advisory Committee

Tender Clinical Advisory Committee

Members of the Tender Clinical Advisory Committee

Prof Rhiannon Braund – Clinical Pharmacist (Chair, PTAC member)
Prof Brian Anderson – Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Specialist (PTAC member)
Ms Amy Hina – Nurse Practitioner
Dr Liza Lack – General Practitioner, Clinical Director
Mr Craig MacKenzie – Hospital Pharmacist
Miss Stephanie Noble – Pharmacist
Ms Clare Randall – Palliative Care Clinical Pharmacist
Mr Geoff Savell – Pharmacist
Ms Amanda Stanfield – Community Pharmacist
Ms Helen Topia – Nurse Practitioner / Clinical Educator
Ms Lorraine Welman – Chief Pharmacist

Records

N/A

Transplant Immunosuppressant Advisory Committee

Members of the Transplant Immunosuppressant Advisory Committee

Dr Marius Rademaker – Dermatologist (Chair, PTAC member)
Dr Helen Evans – Paediatric Gastroenterologist
Prof Stephen Munn – Transplant Surgeon (PTAC member)
Dr Grant Pidgeon – Renal Physician
Prof Lisa Stamp – Rheumatologist (PTAC member)

Records of the Transplant Immunosuppressant Advisory Committee

Disestablished committees

Hospital Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee (disestablished)

Assoc. Prof. Mark Weatherall (Chair, PTAC Chair) – Geriatrician
Mr William (Billy) Allan – Pharmacist
Prof Murray Barclay – Clinical Pharmacologist
Ms Marilyn Crawley – Pharmacist
Dr Matthew Dawes – Clinical Pharmacologist
Ms Jan Goddard – Pharmacist
Dr Andrew Herbert – Consultant Gastroenterologist
Mr Christopher Jay – Pharmacist
Dr Andrew Stanley – Respiratory Physician
Dr Paul Tomlinson – Paediatrician

Minutes

Rare Disorders Subcommittee contestable pilot process (disestablished)

Professor Carl Burgess (Chair) – Physician / Clinical Pharmacologist
Dr Stuart Dalziel (Deputy Chair, PTAC member) – Paediatrician
Dr George Laking – Oncologist
Dr Graham Mills – Infectious Disease Physician
Dr Howard Wilson – General Practitioner / Pharmacologist

Minutes

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Subcommittee (disestablished)

Dr Howard Wilson (Chair) – General Practitioner / Pharmacologist
Dr Andrew Aitken – Cardiologist
Dr Lutz Beckert – Respiratory Physician
Dr Clare O’Donnell – Paediatric Congenital Cardiologist
Dr Kenneth Whyte – Respiratory Physician