Christchurch GP welcomed onto PHARMAC Board

25 September, 2007

Christchurch GP welcomed onto PHARMAC Board

PHARMAC Board chairman Richard Waddel is welcoming the appointment of Christchurch GP David Kerr to the Board of the Government drug-funding agency.

Dr Kerr has been appointed to the Board by Minister of Health Pete Hodgson for a three-year term. He replaces another Christchurch-based appointee, Karen Guilliland, who did not seek reappointment after serving two terms.

Board members are appointed independent of PHARMAC and are responsible for all decisions on pharmaceutical funding, and PHARMAC’s strategic direction.

Former PHARMAC General Manager David Moore has also been reappointed to the Board for a further three-year term.

Richard Waddel says the appointments will ensure the Board continues to have a good balance of perspectives for making its decisions.

“The PHARMAC Board is responsible for decisions that affect the lives and health of nearly all New Zealanders, and involve millions of dollars of taxpayer money. It is important those decisions are carefully and robustly considered by a Board with a broad range of expertise,” says Richard Waddel.

“We welcome the appointment of Dr David Kerr which will further strengthen the clinical experience of the Board.”

Dr Kerr has an extensive background in both clinical practice and governance in the public and private sectors.

He is currently a member of the Canterbury DHB’s Hospital Advisory Committee, a member of the Medical Protection Society advisory panel, and an advisor to Pegasus Health (a Canterbury PHO).

Dr Kerr also chairs the Board of listed rest home company Ryman Healthcare.

David Moore is an economist and is chief executive of the economic consultancy LECG Asia-Pacific. He has held a number of senior positions in the New Zealand health sector since 1992, including general manager of PHARMAC (1993-98), and senior positions with both the Central Regional Health Authority and the Health Funding Authority.

Current PHARMAC Board membership:

Richard Waddel (chair) – professional director, Auckland Prof Gregor Coster (deputy chair) – Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Auckland Dr David Kerr –General Practitioner, Christchurch David Moore –finance, strategy and industry development consultant, Wellington Adrienne von Tunzelman – public policy and governance consultant, Tauranga Kura Denness – Company director, Taranaki DHB Board member, New Plymouth

ENDS

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