Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Government must heed osteoporosis report

Dr Jackie Blue MP
National Party Women’s Affairs Spokeswoman

21 October 2007

Government must heed osteoporosis report

The Government must heed a report by Osteoporosis New Zealand that reveals the disease that affects mostly women costs the country a staggering $1 billion a year, says National’s Women’s Affairs spokeswoman, Dr Jackie Blue.

Dr Blue says osteoporosis – also called the silent epidemic – is usually asymptomatic and often isn’t diagnosed until a fracture occurs.

“The key messages of prevention, early detection and effective treatment are just as appropriate for osteoporosis as they are for other health issues, but they don’t seem to be given any focus by government agencies like Pharmac and ACC.

“Pharmac recently devastated the health sector with its proposal for a sole supply contract that could see the standard once-weekly bone strengthening medication Fosamax switched to a daily medication.

“Taking this medication even once a week is a complete hassle as it needs to be taken on an empty stomach with the patient remaining upright for at least 30 minutes.

“Doctors are concerned that if the daily regimen becomes a reality for the 32,000 affected patients, many won’t bother taking it at all or will take it haphazardly.”

Dr Blue says there is also concern that bone density scans are not being ordered even when patients present with a fracture that is the result of a low-impact trauma such as falling onto an outstretched hand.

“The recommendation that ACC pay for a bone scan for low-impact trauma fractures, and that it become a standard part of the treatment plan, is eminently sensible and needs to be considered.

“It’s all about quality of life and preventing pain and disability with the possible bonus of huge cost savings to be made.”

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.