N※N

Pharmac minister and chairwoman refuse to express confidence in chief executive Sarah Fitt

The article from the New Zealand Herald discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding Pharmac, New Zealand's drug-buying agency, and its chief executive, Sarah Fitt. Despite a critical review by the Auditor-General which found that Pharmac had not adequately managed conflicts of interest, both the Minister of Health, Ayesha Verrall, and Pharmac's board chairwoman, Steve Maharey, have refrained from expressing confidence in Fitt's leadership. The review highlighted issues with transparency and decision-making processes, particularly concerning the funding of cancer drugs. While Verrall acknowledged the need for Pharmac to improve its practices, she did not comment on Fitt's future, stating it was a matter for the board. Maharey similarly avoided directly addressing Fitt's position, focusing instead on the board's commitment to implementing the review's recommendations. This situation has led to public and political scrutiny over the governance and operational integrity of Pharmac.

Read the Full The New Zealand Herald Article at:
[ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pharmac-minister-and-chairwoman-refuse-to-express-confidence-in-chief-executive-sarah-fitt/DRFD7CN5RREW3PS3HBOFXUHCG4/ ]