Letter from Chief Executive

This guide outlines who we are, how we work and the values we embrace. As a new supplier of medicines or medical devices to New Zealand, we want to engage with you in a collaborative relationship. Many suppliers may be more familiar with other funding models – I would encourage you to familiarise yourselves with Pharmac, our values 
and our processes. The information provided in this booklet will guide you through our processes and help you to get the most out of our ongoing relationship.

The relationship Pharmac builds with suppliers is a key component for our success in ensuring the best health outcomes for New Zealand. Our primary purpose at Pharmac is to achieve the best possible health outcomes from New Zealand’s investment in medicines and medical devices, and we anticipate this strongly aligns with what you as a supplier wish to achieve as well. While our agreements set out contractual obligations for both parties, I wish to reiterate that we want to work collaboratively with you to build a successful and productive relationship.

Pharmac has established five core values that ground our behaviour and guide our thinking, helping us make decisions that create better health outcomes for New Zealanders. We also consider our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all of our decision making and encourage our suppliers to familiarise themselves with the 
principles set out in this document to better understand the special relationship that exists between the Crown and Māori.

Pharmac’s work is more important now than ever in a post COVID-19 world, as we work to ensure uninterrupted access to funded medicines and medical devices for New Zealanders. We played a key role in responding to this global pandemic, and our success is reliant on a cohesive relationship with suppliers.

I would like to thank you for engaging with us to supply these vital medicines and medical devices to New Zealand. We value our partnerships with suppliers and want to ensure you are getting the most out of your arrangement. 

We would like to see you add value to our organisation and encourage you to engage with your Contract Manager to have an open line of communication – this is the best way you can provide input for how we can improve our own processes, as well as advising of potential supply issues you may be facing. Our Contract Managers are facilitators – analytical, responsive risk managers with access to clinical advice, and can be of great help to you as a supplier.

Once more, thank you for joining us in our ongoing efforts to provide the best possible health outcomes for New Zealanders.

Ngā mihi nui

Sarah Fitt
Chief Executive
Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga