District Health Boards Support Medicines NZ

Media Release 14 December 2007

District Health Boards support Medicines New Zealand

District Health Boards support the development of Medicines New Zealand and Actioning Medicines NZ.

DHB spokesperson on pharmaceuticals Murray Georgel (CEO MidCentral DHB) said today the process was collaborative and comprehensive and DHBs were pleased to participate. ‘It gave everyone a good chance to understand each other’s point of view.’

The 21 DHBs spend ten per cent of their annual budgets on pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical services. ‘We are vitally interested in making sure every dollar is spent effectively so communities receive the best health outcomes achievable’ said Mr Georgel.

‘We welcome the opportunities to reflect on and improve the current system and processes that the Medicines Strategy process has provided.’ he said.

DHBs are particularly focused on the optimal use of medicines and Mr
Georgel said setting appropriate priorities across all the services for which DHBs are responsible is vital in order to meet the Community Pharmaceutical Treatment Budget. He said DHBs support PHARMAC’s management of the Community Pharmaceutical and Cancer Treatment Budgets on their behalf.

“DHBs regard the review as a significant shift towards a better more transparent system which balances the focus on population health against responsiveness to individuals” Mr Georgel said.

ENDS

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