Latest news with #NatalieMcMurtry
Scoop
20 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
New Pharmac Chief Executive Welcomed
Press Release – New Zealand Government Natalie McMurtry is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience as a frontline clinician and senior leader in Canada. Natalie has held several executive roles within Alberta Health Services, including Vice President of Provincial Clinical … Associate Minister of Health Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed Natalie McMurtry as Pharmac's Chief Executive. Natalie McMurtry will start as Pharmac's Chief Executive on Monday 15 September, taking over from the Acting Chief Executive, Brendan Boyle. 'For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people living with an illness, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines – this is committed to in the Act-National Coalition Agreement,' Mr Seymour says. 'Since then, the culture shift at Pharmac has been positive. It has moved towards a more adaptable and patient-centered approach to funding medicines. My expectation is that this will continue. 'This is in part thanks to the culture review Pharmac undertook to ensure their internal processes weren't getting in the way of their job – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders. 'Pharmac also conducted a consumer engagement workshop. Patients groups were invited to discuss how they should be consulted in decision-making processes. I look forward to seeing this in practice. 'Pharmac are learning from their experiences and making changes where necessary. For example, the community let Pharmac know that they weren't consulted enough on the original oestradiol decision. In response, Pharmac added a consultation step to its annual tender process to seek feedback when considering a medicine brand change. 'The appointment of Natalie McMurtry is another positive step towards a Pharmac which works for the people it serves. I look forward to working alongside her as we look to cement positive change, and continue to move towards a more transparent, inclusive and people-focused organisation.' Natalie McMurtry is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience as a frontline clinician and senior leader in Canada. Natalie has held several executive roles within Alberta Health Services, including Vice President of Provincial Clinical Excellence. 'The Government is doing its part. Last year we allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, and a $604 million uplift to give Pharmac the financial support it needs to carry out its functions – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders,' Mr Seymour says.
Scoop
21 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
New Chief Executive For Pharmac
Pharmac's Board has appointed a new Chief Executive to lead the organisation. Canadian Natalie McMurtry will join Pharmac on Monday 15 September after an extensive recruitment search within New Zealand and overseas. Board Chair Paula Bennett says Ms McMurtry brings significant front-line and health leadership experience to the Pharmac role. 'The level of interest in this role and the calibre of applicants was really high but in the end the Board was impressed by Natalie McMurtry's depth of strategic and operational experience, intelligence, people focus and empathetic approach. 'This is exactly what Pharmac needs as a more transparent, inclusive and outward-focused organisation.' Natalie McMurtry is currently the Chief Transition Officer responsible for launching a new Acute Care Agency in Alberta, Canada. Prior to that she was the Assistant Deputy Minister for Pharmaceutical and Supplementary Health Benefits with the Alberta Government. She began her career as a paediatric critical care pharmacist at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton and has since held a variety of strategic and operational roles across the health system. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Dalhousie University and an MBA in Innovation Leadership. She says she is looking forward to joining Pharmac. 'I am honoured and excited to be joining the Pharmac team at such a pivotal time. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that plays such a vital role in the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.' Ms McMurtry will replace Acting Chief Executive Brendan Boyle, who was appointed for a fixed term while recruitment was underway to fill the vacancy left by former Chief Executive Sarah Fitt. Paula Bennett thanked Brendan Boyle for his work in the interim. 'We have been very fortunate to have his extensive public sector experience available to lay strong foundations for the new Chief Executive.'
Scoop
21 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
New Pharmac Chief Executive Welcomed
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed Natalie McMurtry as Pharmac's Chief Executive. Natalie McMurtry will start as Pharmac's Chief Executive on Monday 15 September, taking over from the Acting Chief Executive, Brendan Boyle. 'For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people living with an illness, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines – this is committed to in the Act-National Coalition Agreement,' Mr Seymour says. 'Since then, the culture shift at Pharmac has been positive. It has moved towards a more adaptable and patient-centered approach to funding medicines. My expectation is that this will continue. 'This is in part thanks to the culture review Pharmac undertook to ensure their internal processes weren't getting in the way of their job - negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders. 'Pharmac also conducted a consumer engagement workshop. Patients groups were invited to discuss how they should be consulted in decision-making processes. I look forward to seeing this in practice. 'Pharmac are learning from their experiences and making changes where necessary. For example, the community let Pharmac know that they weren't consulted enough on the original oestradiol decision. In response, Pharmac added a consultation step to its annual tender process to seek feedback when considering a medicine brand change. 'The appointment of Natalie McMurtry is another positive step towards a Pharmac which works for the people it serves. I look forward to working alongside her as we look to cement positive change, and continue to move towards a more transparent, inclusive and people-focused organisation.' Natalie McMurtry is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience as a frontline clinician and senior leader in Canada. Natalie has held several executive roles within Alberta Health Services, including Vice President of Provincial Clinical Excellence. 'The Government is doing its part. Last year we allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, and a $604 million uplift to give Pharmac the financial support it needs to carry out its functions - negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders,' Mr Seymour says.
