The New Zealand Ministry of Health's Medicines Classification Committee (MCC) must continue to have appropriate representation from medical doctors.

The MCC is currently advertising two to four vacancies, and has indicated that priority will be given to a nurse and a layperson to fill two of the spaces.

Historically, the committee has had two doctors appointed by the now-defunct New Zealand Medical Association. We believe it is essential that the MCC continues to include two medically qualified doctors, as originally intended in its legislative structure. This requirement was established to ensure that the committee’s decisions are informed by robust clinical expertise and an understanding of the diagnostic and physiological complexities involved in medicine safety.

The undersigned respectfully ask the Ministry to:

1. give priority to a practising general practitioner for one of the advertised roles;

2. maintain two medically qualified doctors on the MCC, in keeping with the original intent of the
legislation; and

3. recognise General Practitioners Aotearoa as the appropriate national body to nominate or support one of these medical representatives, given its role as the sole GP association in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We believe this approach ensures the MCC remains balanced, clinically responsible, and aligned with
international standards for medicine classification governance.