Posted by Michael Wonder on 11 Oct 2023
Rare Disorders NZ appalled by attitude within PHARMAC; calls for Chair’s removal
11 October 2023 - Rare Disorders New Zealand is calling on the Minister of Health to remove Steve Maharey as PHARMAC’s Chair after he has failed to take strong action against the CEO of PHARMAC, Sarah Fitt, for the unacceptable language revealed in internal correspondence between Pharmac executives regarding journalist Rachel Smalley.
“The Chair’s response is absolutely appalling and effectively just a slap on the wrist. It is unacceptable for Fitt, as the head of a government agency to use and condone such contemptuous language about people who are advocating on behalf of those whose lives depend on the decisions PHARMAC makes,” says Rare Disorders NZ Chief Executive Chris Higgins.
