District Health Boards are responsible for funding community pharmacy services to 900 community pharmacies in New Zealand through the Pharmacy Services Agreement (the Agreement). The Pharmacy Services Advisory Group (PSAG) was set up to provide advice on operational aspects relating to the Agreement and a review group advises on any necessary changes under the Agreement.

The Pharmacy Procedures Manual assists community pharmacy to meet its obligations under the Agreement.

The Pharmacist Services Framework was developed by the 20 DHBs in 2007 to provide additional service options to those set out in the Agreement. DHBs and pharmacists have been able to enter local agreements for these services.

PHARMAC acts as DHBs’ agent managing the Community Pharmaceutical Budget, Pharmaceutical Cancer Treatments Budget, Access and Optimal Use funding, and is working with DHBs on management of Hospital Pharmaceuticals in future. The Memorandum of Understanding between the 20 DHBs and PHARMAC sets out the respective responsibilities.