ACT Supports Public Review of PHARMAC

Heather Roy Tuesday, 15 November 2005 Press Releases - Health

ACT Health spokesman Heather Roy today agreed with the National Party that the review of PHARMAC, promised in Labour's confidence and supply deal with United Future, should be open for public submissions.

"PHARMAC's sole supply policy has meant that some medications are now inaccessible to doctors and patients - even if they are willing to pay full price," Mrs Roy said.

"Choice has been severely restricted as a result of Labour government policy.

"For over a year I have had a Bill in the ballot aimed at removing PHARMAC's exemption from the provisions of Part 2 of the Commerce Act 1986.

"My Bill would provide for the speedy resolution of disputes involving PHARMAC which arise in relation to the anticompetive behaviour provisions of the Commerce Act, Part 2.

"PHARMAC's exemption cannot be justified in the context of New Zealand's economic free market and New Zealand's corporatised, deregulated and commercially managed health sector.

"In the interests of making medication more available to those who need it, I hope Mr Dunne and the Labour government would look favourably at this bill in the course of the promised review.

"It is time for those in power to put the interests of New Zealanders - and in this case sick New Zealanders - before political ideology," Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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