PHARMAC seeking new Māori members for consumer committee

PHARMAC seeking new Māori members for consumer committee

PHARMAC is seeking nominations for two Māori members of its Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC).

The CAC is a statutory committee providing PHARMAC with input from a consumer or patient point of view. The committee can have up to nine members and is currently chaired by Shane Bradbrook, who is one of the Māori members coming to the end of his term.

The other members whose terms end this year are Barbara Greer (Hokitika) and Katerina Pihera (Rotorua).

Chief Executive Steffan Crausaz says PHARMAC is seeking applications from people with experience in representing the interests of Māori communities, with a particular interest in health.

Under its Terms of Reference, the committee is required to have at least two Māori and at least one Pacific peoples’ representative.

“The Committee has provided valuable insights to PHARMAC over many years and this has been due largely to the high calibre of people that have been put forward by the community,” says Steffan Crausaz.

“With health issues facing Māori and our ongoing work to improve Māori use of medicines, it will be important that we continue to receive good advice on how best to interact with the Māori community on aspects of our work.”

Steffan Crausaz says that members of the committee have been most effective when supported by their communities, and that will be one of the things PHARMAC looks for in selecting candidates for appointment.

Members can be appointed for up to two terms, and a maximum of six years.

Information about the vacancies and how to apply are available on the PHARMAC website https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news/vacancy-2016-02-05-cac-maori-members/.

Applications are being sought until 4 March.

ENDS

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