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Pharmac's new Chair is acknowledging those at the drug-buying agency have been publicly defensive in recent times. \xa0

Former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett's chairing the agency as it works to the Associate Health Minister's newly outlined expectations. \xa0

Among them is a directive to include patient groups in decision-making processes and enhance public trust.\xa0

Speaking to Newstalk ZB\u2019s Mike Hosking, Bennett said the executive was aligned with her and Seymour\u2019s views.\xa0

\u201cThere are different views and people have been under one letter of expectation and regime from a very different minister, so there is still a lot of discussion to go on.\xa0

\u201cThey are having to say no more than they can say yes. They do care about New Zealanders and want to deliver more medicines, but they haven\u2019t had the budget to do that,\u201d she said.\xa0

\u201cAs a consequence, there has been a lot of frustration and anger; as a consequence, they have perhaps closed themselves in instead of going more outward.\u201d\xa0

Seymour\u2019s letter indicated a view Pharmac was struggling to maintain public trust and build positive relationships with stakeholders.\xa0

His letter asked Bennett to ensure stakeholders understood \u201chow Pharmac operates, that its legitimacy, credibility and trust is enhanced, and that all feedback and ideas are dealt with respectfully and valued\u201d.\xa0

He added Pharmac should report to him regularly about how it was improving organisational culture and stakeholder settlement.\xa0

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