Wellington, July 1 NZPA - Pharmac board deputy chairman Stuart McLauchlan takes the hot seat of chairman from today.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said Mr McLauchlan brought financial and governance expertise to the role.

Existing board member David Kerr of Christchurch was reappointed while associate professor Jens Mueller of Waikato University and specialist paediatric surgeon Anne Kolbe of Auckland University School of Medicine were new appointments.

Mr Ryall thanked the outgoing chair Richard Waddel who has held the position since 2001.

He also thanked retiring board member Ms Adrienne von Tunzelmann of Tauranga for her seven years' service.

The two other board members are Kura Denness of New Plymouth and David Moore, of Wellington.