PHARMAC says its recently expanded role will see District Health Boards save more than 100 million dollars over five years.

The Crown agency has grown from deciding which medicines get subsidised or funded by DHBs, to also cover medicines used in hospitals, vaccines, medical equipment and more.

CEO Steffan Crausaz says PHARMAC has managed costs for DHBs.

"We get lower prices for medicines the District Health Boards are already buying and then that releases savings that the health system can then reinvest into patient treatment, patient care."