Pursuant to Section 103 of the Crown Entities Act 2004

Under section 103 of the Crown Entities Act 2004, I, Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Health, direct the Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) to give effect to Government policy as specified below. This direction comes into effect on 1 September 2016.

The purpose of this direction is to ensure that PHARMAC contributes to New Zealand meeting its international obligations under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (“Agreement”).

To this end, from the date that the Agreement enters into force for New Zealand, PHARMAC shall have regard to, in carrying out its functions, the need for New Zealand to comply with the obligations in Annex 26-A (Transparency and Procedural Fairness for Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Devices) to Chapter 26 (Transparency and Anti-Corruption) of the Agreement, including making adjustments to its practices and policies as necessary. I direct, in particular, that PHARMAC make available an internal review process pursuant to Article 3(e)(ii) of that Annex.

Dated this 8th day of August 2016.

Hon JONATHAN COLEMAN, Minister of Health.