Revised: 23 December 2025
Committees
Medicines Classification Committee
Vacancies on the Medicines Classification Committee
We are seeking candidates who wish to be considered for appointment to Medsafe’s Medicines Classification Committee (MCC).
The MCC is an expert advisory committee that makes recommendations on whether medicines should be available as prescription, restricted (pharmacist only), pharmacy-only, or general sales medicines. The MCC functions are managed by Medsafe, however the committee provides independent advice. The MCC therefore makes an important contribution to ensuring safe and suitable access to medicines in New Zealand.
Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the Role
As a member of an expert advisory committee, you will be committed to protecting, promoting, and improving the health of all New Zealanders through your contribution to the MCC’s legislative requirements.
The MCC consists of at least seven members and meets two or three times a year. There may also be ad-hoc meetings when needed. The time commitment would typically total about 40 - 60 hours per year.
More information about the MCC can be found here.
Appointments to the MCC are made for an initial term of three years.
Kōrero mōu l About you
The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora recognises that diversity enables our committees to be high-performing and is committed to delivering greater diversity to statutory committees and ensuring they represent the diversity in New Zealand’s population, including gender, ethnicity, disability, age and geographic location.
Manatū Hauora encourages people from all backgrounds, including those who can reflect the needs, values, and beliefs of Māori, and/or have an understanding and are committed to meeting the obligations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to apply for these roles.
The MCC is currently comprised of two practicing general practitioners, two practicing pharmacists, and two public health professionals from within the Ministry of Health. As a result of the Medicines Amendment Act 2025, which came into force on 18 November 2025, the law has changed to enable wider representation on the committee.
As such, Medsafe is currently seeking 2-4 candidates for appointment to the MCC. We encourage anyone who believes they can add critical expertise to the MCC to express their interest. It is likely that for two of these roles, we will consider a nurse and a lay-person as a priority.
Valuable attributes of candidates, depending on area of expertise, could include:
- Knowledge of medicines, their side-effects, interactions, and their safe and effective use
- Experience in the use of medicines as a prescriber, dispenser, pharmacologist, carer, or consumer
- Knowledge of the marketplace and the products available
- Interest in fostering self-medication where safe and appropriate interest in, and awareness of, the pharmaceutical needs of professional bodies and the pharmacological aspects of their training, as well as the needs of the community
- Awareness of the pharmaceutical industry and the impact of reclassification on their products to either prescription or non-prescription status
- Good communication skills
- Understanding of consumer behaviour
Me pēhea te tono l How to apply
Applications must be made by emailing Medsafe’s committee inbox,
committees@health.govt.nz by close of business on 30 January 2026, and should include:
- Application form (docx, 62KB, 8 pages,
- A cover letter
- A current CV
Applicants will be notified of the outcome following the short-listing and consideration process. We would like to have the MCC vacancy filled as soon as possible.
Please email the MCC Secretariat (committees@health.govt.nz) if you require any further information.
