Photo: RNZ / LUKE MCPAKE
A new CEO will equal a "different, more transparent" Pharmac, according to the board chair of the drug-buying agency's as patient advocates warn that a fresh perspective is needed to shed the organisation's "fortress mentality".
After years of controversy, Pharmac's chief executive Sarah Fitt has resigned from her role.
The CEO has faced repeated calls to step down from both patients and medical experts, including a 100,000-signature petition handed to Parliament in December that called for her to be sacked.
The public outcry came after emails released under the Official Information Act revealed what critics labelled "sneering and contemptuous" tone among some Pharmac staff.
Pharmac board chairperson Paula Bennett said that while Fitt's technical and operational skills have been an asset, her replacement would hopefully bring a much-needed culture shift to the organisation.
"We've got to look at the culture of Pharmac, we've got to look at how it's got to change.
Pharmac board chairperson Paula Bennett. Photo: Aotearoa Media Collective
But while Bennett was among others including Associate Health Minister David Seymour who criticised Pharmac's decision to swap hormone replacement therapy patch providers, she said she retains confidence in the outgoing CEO.
"That ability to run the organisation and to get access to more medicines cost-effectively for New Zealanders is... very strong."
When asked if Fitt received a payment as part of her departure Bennett said an exit package was arranged "in line with employment obligations".
Bennet said she did not ask Fitt for her resignation.
But while Bennett hoped a new CEO would bring a new culture to the drug buying agency, Malcolm Mulholland of advocacy group Patient Voice Aotearoa said recruiting from inside the Pharmac would bring more of the same "fortress mentality" he believes is so ingrained in the organisation.
"Pharmac has never recruited externally for the senior for the chief executive position.
"So what we would like to see is the board being proactive, going overseas and approaching people who have had a high level of involvement with a well-functioning drug procurement agency for a different developed country."
"Fresh ideas, fresh blood.... somebody who can pop the bonnet."
Bennett acknowledged that the organisation required fresh ideas and deep structural changes to improve transparency, increase patient collaboration and "get it fit for the future", but cautioned Pharmac's limited budget would always require trade-offs.
"We just don't have enough money to fund everything that we would want to.
"[But] instead of actually having open discussions. We've been doing it behind closed doors too much, so we really want to change that."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
