Pharmac invests in data and digital to modernise core systems

NEWS  - eHealthNews editor Rebecca McBeth

Pharmac is using one-off funding from Budget 2025 to develop a two-year data and digital programme aimed at enhancing core functions, improving decision-making, and strengthening collaboration and transparency across the health system. 

A Letter of Expectations progress update released on August 13, says a key project is the redevelopment of the Pharmaceutical Schedule - the document that lists all medicines and related products funded by Pharmac in New Zealand.

The project will replace legacy Schedule applications with a modern, centralised database that integrates with other systems both internally and externally. The update describes the redevelopment as the most significant change to the Schedule in 30 years.

The Letter sets out the Government's priorities for Pharmac each year and includes the expectation that Pharmac invest in data and digital infrastructure to enhance core functions and improve decision-making, collaboration, and transparency. 

As part of this work, Pharmac has agreed a joint project plan with Health New Zealand to align delivery of the new Schedule with a new Special Authority IT system that Health New Zealand is delivering. Both systems are scheduled to go live in late October 2027.

The Special Authority system manages the approval process for medicines that require authorisation before a patient can access them through the Pharmaceutical Schedule. The update says that aligning the two projects will ensure the systems work together effectively from the outset.

Pharmac is also progressing other digital initiatives under the programme including a new contract management system, and patient and supplier portals. The agency says it is working on improved application development tools to support better workflow, and is exploring opportunities for the use of artificial intelligence across its operations.

In September 2025, the Government announced changes to how hospital medical devices are procured, with Health New Zealand and Pharmac sharing responsibility under a joint operating model.
From February this year, Pharmac began delivering medical device health technology assessments as part of Health New Zealand's new Health Technology Evaluation Pathway.

The update says Pharmac's investment in digital infrastructure supports its work on medical devices and the agency’s focus for 2026/27 is continued delivery of the data and digital programme in partnership with Health New Zealand and other sector stakeholders. 

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