Decision criteria review: final decision

The key features of the framework are as follows:

• A new diagram presenting 15 factors for consideration will replace the current list of nine decision criteria;

• PHARMAC will take into account factors that impact on the person receiving the medicine or medical device; the impact on family, whanāu of the person and wider society; and the impact on the broader health system;
• PHARMAC will consider the impact on the health of Māori as a separate factor to acknowledge our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
• PHARMAC will consider the health impact on a broader group of populations that are facing health disparities; this includes the significant disparities that currently exist with New Zealand’s Pacific populations.
• A supporting information document provides additional explanation for each of the factors for consideration.

Given the significant changes to the decision-making framework, these changes will not come into effect until late 2015. This lead-in time will enable us to make the required changes to our internal processes. It will also enable PHARMAC to engage with our external stakeholders to help familiarise all relevant and interested parties with the new framework and help educate about what the changes will mean for you well in advance of them occurring. We will keep stakeholders informed through our website and via the OPP mailing list. 

Please contact us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz if you are not on the mailing list but would like to be added.

Consultation process

The Decision Criteria review commenced in June 2013, and has included two rounds of public consultation. Consultation documents and summaries of submissions from the consultation period can be found on the PHARMAC website. This includes a response to submissions from the last round of consultation. [links removed 18/5/22 as content is no longer available]