INDEPENDENT NEWS

Pharmac must look seriously at decision-making

Published: Tue 20 Dec 2005 09:39 AM
Jackie Blue MP National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman
20 December 2005
Pharmac must look seriously at decision-making
National's Associate Health spokeswoman, Jackie Blue, is pleased that negotiations between Pharmac and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca have resulted in Zoladex staying on the market.
"Pharmac's decision to play off two drug companies backfired," says Dr Blue.
"There was huge public outcry from patients, doctors, as well as prostate and breast cancer groups. Quite understandably, patients particularly were confused and upset.
"This whole sorry mess could have been avoided.
"It is clear to me that Pharmac has become too driven by dollar-and-cent savings - the human factor and the downstream effects of business decisions need to be considered.
"This might have been achieved if Pharmac's consumer committee had been involved, or if their generalist medical advisory committee, which supported the deal, had consumer representation.
"Another option was that the proposed deal could have been considered by their cancer specialist committee, which is made up of cancer specialists who work at the coalface and understand the impact of clinical decisions and any supporting international data.
"Of course, none of this happened and it is timely that Pharmac now looks at how it makes its business decisions, how it uses its committees, and how its committees are comprised," says Dr Blue.
ENDS

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media