Consultation on PHARMAC's Pacific Responsiveness Strategy
PHARMAC is seeking feedback on its draft Pacific Responsiveness Strategy.
The Strategy provides a strategic direction and framework for PHARMAC to actively work to improve the health outcomes for Pacific peoples.
How to provide feedback
PHARMAC is undertaking a series of community fono at different venues around the country seeking feedback on our draft strategy. More information on the dates, locations and times of the fono, and to register [link no longer available].
We also welcome feedback on our strategy via email or in writing. To provide feedback, please submit by 5pm on Friday, 12 August 2016 (extended) to:
Agnes Tokuma
PRS Project Coordinator
PHARMAC
PO Box 10254
Wellington 6143
Email: pacific@pharmac.govt.nz
Phone: 04 916 7266
Fax: 04 460 4995
Summary of the Pacific Responsiveness Strategy
The strategic purpose for PHARMAC’s Pacific Responsiveness Strategy is to “Support Pacific peoples in New Zealand to live healthy lives through improved and timely access to, and use of, medicines and medical devices”.
The Strategy provides a framework to establish a work programme, so that PHARMAC can achieve this strategic purpose. We have used the analogy and symbolism of the growth of a hibiscus flower from seed to represent the journey that PHARMAC will need to undertake to achieve this objective. Our strategy presents three stages of growth to enable PHARMAC to impact on the health of Pacific peoples in a meaningful way – building, enabling, and blossoming.
Background
Pacific peoples in New Zealand continue to make a positive contribution to New Zealand society. However, the health outcomes for Pacific peoples remain poorer than for non-Pacific people. PHARMAC has an important role in the New Zealand health system, to enable all New Zealanders to have access to publicly funded medicines. The reasons for poorer health outcomes of Pacific peoples are complex and multi-faceted but we have a role as a government agency to do what we can to improve the health of Pacific peoples.
In developing this draft strategy we have sought input from some key Pacific stakeholders within the health sector, Pacific communities and other government agencies. PHARMAC has also sought the advice and guidance of the Pacific members on PHARMAC’s Consumer Advisory Committee; David Lui, Tuiloma Lina Samu and Key Frost.
We acknowledge the importance of community engagement and want to ensure the Pacific voice at the center of this strategy and to that end this consultation seeks community and sector input.
Questions to consider
In reviewing the draft strategy, please consider the following questions:
PHARMAC’s role is to decide which medicines and medical devices should be subsided in New Zealand.
- What are the most important things for Pacific peoples that PHARMAC should be thinking about, when deciding what medicines to subsidise?
- What are the barriers and/or obstacles facing Pacific peoples and their communities when it comes to accessing medicines?
- What works well for Pacific peoples and their communities when it comes to accessing medicines and/or medical devices?
- What is your level of understanding and/or interaction with PHARMAC?
- How could PHARMAC improve its engagement and support of Pacific communities?
What happens next?
PHARMAC will consider all the feedback we receive through this consultation, which will feed into the final strategy. The final strategy and accompanying action plan will be published before the end of 2016.