NZREX NZ Health System & Te Tiriti o Waitangi 2 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of the Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) in New Zealand?
- To manage the government's investment in medicines and medical devices to get best health outcomes within a fixed budget (Correct answer)
- To regulate the safety of new medicines before market approval
- To license pharmaceutical companies operating in NZ
- To set prescription charges for patients
Correct answer: To manage the government's investment in medicines and medical devices to get best health outcomes within a fixed budget
PHARMAC decides which medicines and devices are subsidised on the NZ Pharmaceutical Schedule, negotiating prices to maximise health benefit within a fixed budget. Medsafe (not PHARMAC) approves medicine safety.
Question 2: Which organisation is responsible for registering and regulating health practitioners in New Zealand?
- The relevant Responsible Authority under the HPCA Act 2003 (e.g., Medical Council of NZ) (Correct answer)
- Ministry of Health
- Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora)
- Health and Disability Commissioner
Correct answer: The relevant Responsible Authority under the HPCA Act 2003 (e.g., Medical Council of NZ)
The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003 established Responsible Authorities (e.g., Medical Council of NZ, Nursing Council of NZ) to register practitioners, set competence standards, and manage fitness to practise.
Question 3: In New Zealand, the ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) covers which of the following?
- Treatment injury caused by medical care, even without negligence (Correct answer)
- Illness not caused by an accident
- Elective surgery complications always
- Mental health conditions unrelated to injury
Correct answer: Treatment injury caused by medical care, even without negligence
ACC covers personal injury by accident, including treatment injury (unexpected harm from health treatment) regardless of fault. This means patients injured during medical care can claim ACC without needing to prove negligence.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'equity' in the NZ health system in relation to MÄori health?
- Providing additional resources to MÄori where needed to achieve the same health outcomes as non-MÄori (Correct answer)
- Giving exactly the same services to all patients regardless of need
- Removing all targeted MÄori health programmes
- Using a colour-blind approach to service delivery
Correct answer: Providing additional resources to MÄori where needed to achieve the same health outcomes as non-MÄori
Health equity for MÄori means recognising and addressing systemic disadvantage by providing proportionately more resources and tailored services to achieve comparable health outcomes ā not simply equal treatment regardless of need.
Question 5: What is the primary care model through which most New Zealanders access general practice services?
- Primary Health Organisation (PHO) model with enrolled patients (Correct answer)
- Fee-for-service without enrolment
- Hospital-based outpatient GP clinics
- Community Health Centres as the sole provider
Correct answer: Primary Health Organisation (PHO) model with enrolled patients
NZ's primary care is delivered through PHOs, which are networks of GP practices. Patients enrol with a practice/PHO to access subsidised services. Capitation funding is provided based on enrolled patient numbers and demographics.
Question 6: Under the Pae Ora Act 2022, what is the primary function of Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora)?
- Commission and deliver health services nationally, replacing the 20 DHBs (Correct answer)
- Regulate health practitioners and set clinical standards
- Manage ACC claims and injury rehabilitation
- Fund and commission MÄori health services exclusively
Correct answer: Commission and deliver health services nationally, replacing the 20 DHBs
Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) was established to plan, fund, and deliver health services nationally, replacing the 20 District Health Boards. It operates through regional and locality planning structures.
NZREX NZ Health System & Te Tiriti o Waitangi 2
What is the purpose of the Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) in New Zealand?