A consumer voice on the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee

Choosing which treatments to fund is critically important and nearly always a difficult task. Receiving high-quality clinical advice and hearing from a range of perspectives ensures we are making the most informed decisions we can.

“Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac has been looking at ways that consumer views and perspectives can be better included in our decision making. One of the areas where there has been a lot of feedback, over many years, has been about consumer involvement in the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee,” says Chief Medical Officer Dr David Hughes.

Two Consumer Advisory Committee members were invited along as observers to help identify areas where they were most likely to add benefit to the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee, how the role of a consumer representative may work, and the type of support and training that could be useful for anyone in that role.

In July, Consumer Advisory Committee member Dr Robyn Manuel was appointed to the role by then Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

“My position of consumer on the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee allows for another perspective to be considered when recommendations are made about whether a treatment should be added to the pharmaceutical schedule,” says Dr Manuel.

“I am honoured to be the first consumer appointed to the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee and hope that my contribution proves to be worthwhile for Pharmac.”