Roger Sowry

National Health Spokesperson

21 December 2001

King must fix Pharmacy stuff-up

The latest debacle in Health, this time involving pharmacy contracts, shows that Annette King is out of her depth, according to National's Health Spokesperson Roger Sowry.

The Government has required pharmacists to sign up to a nationally consistent contracting arrangement, but now the Commerce Commission has told them this is a breach of the Commerce Act.

"This is a problem totally of the Government's making. The Pharmacy Guild have done nothing wrong, yet they are left facing a bill of $80,000 to get the Government's own scheme implemented. The problem could soon affect doctors, midwives and other health providers as well.

"You have to wonder how on earth Annette King let bureaucracy run mad like this. She's had all year to act, but has done nothing. Once again, King has stuffed up and health professionals are left to pick up the pieces."

Ends

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