Improved access to medicines? Yeah right!

RMI Media Statement

12 December 2006

Improved access to medicines? Yeah right!

Peter Dunne’s consultation document Towards a New Zealand Medicines Strategy falls far short of expectations of New Zealanders.

“Patient groups, clinicians and the industry will all be extremely disappointed that this consultation document fails to fulfil the key objective of access to medicines as stated in the original terms of reference published by Mr Dunne in April of this year.” Dr Pippa MacKay the Chairman of the Researched Medicines Industry said.

“This document seems to be only focusing on refining the current flawed system and will do nothing to address the concerns that have been raised by all stakeholders.

“The expectation of New Zealanders that their access to medicines will be improved has been cruelly raised and dashed.

“The consultation document falls well short of the mark.

“To suggest that New Zealanders already have good access to medicines shows how much this Government has its head in the sand,” she said.

“There is little point in focusing on correct prescribing and usage issues if we can’t get access to the medicines to start with.

“Clearly Mr Dunne and the Government will be hearing from the New Zealand public during the consultation process and we hope the Government will listen and act,” Dr MacKay concluded.

ENDS

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