Responsible use of medicines
How we support primary care physicians and promote responsible use of medicines.
Legislated objective
The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 says it’s part of our role to promote the responsible use of medicines.
For us, responsible use means everyone has a fair opportunity to get the funded treatments that are best for them.
Approach to responsible use changing
Matui contract ended
Until 30 June 2024, Pharmac contracted Matui to provide support to primary care professionals for the responsible use of medicines.
Matui provided educational resources through their brand He Ako Hiringa and their platform Evaluating Prescribing to inform Care(external link) (EPiC) which provided prescribing analytics for prescribers, practices and nationally.
We are grateful for the high quality education and resources Matui has provided to support primary health care professionals over the last three years.
Next steps
Pharmac is committed to continuing to provide resources to the primary health care sector, and is keen to ensure these resources are relevant and responsive to the needs of health care professionals.
We will develop a responsible use work plan outlining the work required to set up the new approach. This will include establishing a cross-sector group of other agencies involved in responsible use work.
We have heard from health professionals that they are keen to contribute to supporting the responsible use of medicines in Aotearoa New Zealand. Pharmac will make opportunity for people within the health sector to share with us their thoughts so we can better respond to the needs of the sector.
We will keep you updated as this work develops.
Supported by clinical experts
Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac maintains the Responsible Use Advisory Group to inform our work. The group can have up to 10 members who are active clinicians with experience in the New Zealand health sector. They also have collective expertise in:
- upholding and applying the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- applying a strategic and national focus to their work
- providing health services to the priority populations (including Māori and Pacific peoples)
- clinical workforce development or education
- health equity or indigenous data sovereignty
- designing or informing behavioural change.