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

In summary, the data suggests that PHARMAC enjoys internationally
recognised success at managing the needs of the wider population (substantive
opportunities). There is considerable debate about the fairness and accuracy of
the system used by PHARMAC to decide on costs and benefits. This system
cannot guarantee fairness of decisions for small numbers of people whose
pharmaceutical needs have a potential to exceed New Zealand’s budget for
medicines.
Test-Question 4
“Is this distribution based on information available to decision makers
about the capability of this person to do things he/she has reason to
value?”
This test-question asks if PHARMAC’s decision makers know the capabilities of
the applicants and what they have good reason to value in their lives. This
question centres on the value of capabilities and the consequences on the lives
of the people making claims on the pharmaceutical budget. Unlike Rawls, Sen
contends that good health is an underlying liberty which is essential for the
enjoyment of all capabilities. Consequently, Sen presents us with two
questions. Firstly, do the decision makers know if the distribution will add to or
subtract from the person’s capability? Secondly do the decision makers know
about the consequences on the lives of claimants requiring the distribution?
It should be noted that Sen’s question does not ask decision makers which set
of capabilities should be granted or provided for, or which values their decisions
should develop capability for. Rather Sen’s question asks decision makers do
they have information about which set of capabilities the claimants feel are
desirable and the consequences of the decisions on the person or their life.
Sen asserts that without this information, distributive justice cannot be assured.
In examining this test-question, I will discuss PHARMAC’s first purpose, to
meet the pharmaceutical needs of the wider population. Secondly, I will
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