Review of the Exceptional Circumstances Framework

Pharmac’s role includes considering whether to fund pharmaceutical treatments for people with exceptional circumstances when those treatments are not currently available for them on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

This role reflects the legislative function outlined in section 69(1)(b) of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022:

[Managing] incidental matters arising out of [maintaining and managing a pharmaceutical schedule], including in exceptional circumstances providing for subsidies for the supply of pharmaceuticals not on the pharmaceutical schedule.