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Pharmac budget announcement offers little
Jackie Blue National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman
20 July 2006
Pharmac budget announcement offers little
Pharmac's announcement today of its budget for the next financial year will do little to widen New Zealanders' access to drugs, says National's Associate Health spokeswoman Jackie Blue.
"The 3% increase in the budget barely matches inflation and doesn't even keep up with the increase in prescription volumes," says Dr Blue.
"Spending on pharmaceuticals has fallen below inflation year after year under Labour.
"Pharmac has tried to fudge the figures by saying New Zealanders have access to more pharmaceuticals. But on closer inspection they include items such as condoms, peak flow meters, calamine lotion and Janola in their statistics.
"New Zealand can do better."
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