How does the operation of PHARMAC's 'Community Exceptional ...

job. She is not homebound with worsening health and mental health
too. Quality of life, quality of life is just as important in many cases.
Q What does this say about the patient’s needs other than medical
needs in PHARMAC’s cost-utility equation?
A Nothing, I think it’s unfair. (Interviewee F)
When questioned further about fairness, ‘F’ described fairness being linked to
equal access to treatment.
Uniformity of access New Zealand wide, that was for me one of the
key criteria in health was that there was fairness to access, because
although not everybody would necessarily end up with the treatment,
there was access to the treatment. (Interviewee F)
‘F’ was asked if the Minister can have any effect on the operations of
PHARMAC, specifically the Community Exceptional Circumstances policy. ‘F’
preferred the model of separation of powers where the Minister did not
intervene with PHARMAC decisions. When asked what influence the Minister
can have on PHARMAC, interviewee ‘F’ answered:
Not a lot, if you’re going to believe in the model. Certainly they can
tell, they can express views on what’s happening and so on, but
actually you want to avoid where possible a political decision on
pharmaceuticals. (Interviewee F)
Interviewee ‘F’ raised the issue of PHARMAC’s transparency and relationship
with the public and how PHARMAC was perceived.
Because that was where the problem arose, the feeling that
PHARMAC is a closed shop…of the public that they [PHARMAC]
didn’t listen and so on. (Interviewee F)
‘F’ was also pleased that PHARMAC were able to handle pressure from
interested groups and lobbyists and was able to be a shield for political
pressure on the Minister.
It’s a huge political problem if you’re the Minister, and it’s always
good if you can have others make the decision that you don’t have to
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