Dr Jackie Blue
National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman

29 January 2007

Hodgson AWOL on dodgy access to medicines

Labour's silence on New Zealanders' lack of access to essential medicines has been deafening, says National's Associate Health spokeswoman, Dr Jackie Blue

"Where has the Health Minister been over the past three weeks while we've had report after report of crucial medicines running out?

"Medicines including penicillin, adrenalin and, more recently calcium have been running out. This is not a case of bad luck or a one-off situation.

"There is a steady stream of bread and butter medicines that are out of stock at any one time.

"In the last of week of October there were 32 medicines out of stock. One was arriving within the week, 14 were arriving sometime in November, two in December and one in 2007. And there was no confirmed date of availability for the other 14.

"Pete Hodgson seems more than happy to send out his hapless officials to take the flak in the face of mounting media attention.

"We are at crisis point, but where is the general?

"Pete Hodgson must step in, take responsibility and act like a Minister of Health before it is too late."

ENDS

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