Pharmac is asking Bay locals to help it make changes to how medicine and medical device funding applications are made.

The Government agency responsible for deciding which pharmaceuticals are publicly funded is holding a public forum at the Arataki Community Centre in Mount Maunganui on October 27.

Around 183,000 people in the Bay received funded medicines last year, so it's important to have your say on how PHARMAC makes decisions, says Chief Executive Steffan Crausaz.

'We want to make sure that we're continuing to make the best decisions for New Zealanders, and to do that we need public feedback.”

The changes have been proposed in order to meet New Zealand's obligations under the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and to make some other improvements.

'These administrative changes would not change the heart of the PHARMAC model and would only take effect when the TPP comes in to effect for New Zealand,” explains Steffan.

Pharmac is proposing a timeframe for considering certain funding applications and establishing a review process for those it declines. These changes would only apply to supplier applications for new medicines.

To support these changes, Pharmac is also suggesting some other changes to make it easier for people to submit an application and to know more about the agency's assessment. It would also apply to future applications for medical devices.

'Feedback from a wide range of people is a really important part of our decision making process. Before we make any changes to our application process, we want to make sure that we first consider what people think about those changes.

'We're visiting a number of communities across New Zealand to talk about our work and to also get feedback on these proposed changes to our funding application process.”

The Pharmac Tauranga forum takes place in the Penguin Room at the Arataki Community Centre on Zambuck Way in Mount Maunganui on Thursday, October 27, from 9.30am-11:30am

To register either visit: www.pharmac.govt.nz/tpp-implementation or call 04 460 4990.

Written feedback can also be submitted online at: www.pharmac.govt.nz