Wellington smoking cessation advocate Shane Bradbrook has been appointed chair of PHARMAC’s Consumer Advisory Committee.

Shane Bradbrook, a member of the Committee since 2010, will succeed Kate Russell when her term on the Committee ends on 31 July.

The Consumer Advisory Committee is a statutory advisory committee to PHARMAC, with members appointed by the PHARMAC Board.

Chief Executive Steffan Crausaz says the transition to the new Chair will be among several changes in the Committee’s membership over coming months.

As well as Shane Bradbrook’s appointment, Auckland mental health consultant David Lui has been appointed as Deputy Chair.

And four new members have been appointed to fill vacancies that become available this year and next. The incoming members are:

• Stephanie Clare – acting Chief Executive of Parkinsons NZ, Wellington (appointed from 1 August 2015)
• Francesca Holloway – Northern Regional manager of Arthritis NZ, Auckland (appointed from 1 August 2016)
• Adrienne von Tunzelmann – Board member of Age Concern NZ and Osteoporosis NZ, Tauranga (appointed from 1 August 2015)
• Neil Woodhams – vice-president of Multiple Sclerosis NZ (appointed from 1 August 2015).

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/media-2015-07-09-new-cac-members/