A new study published today in the journal Lancet Oncology reveals discrepancies between drug prices in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The researchers, including a New Zealander, looked at the costs of more than 30 drugs and found that there was wide variation in the prices different countries paid for the same drug.

For example, the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine costs just $43USD per vial in Greece, but the same dose costs over $200USD in New Zealand.

The authors also noted drug pricing data was scarce and not always transparent due to confidential discounts and arrangements.

“As policy-makers cannot consider such agreements because they are confidential, they risk overpaying when setting prices through external price referencing,” says lead author, Dr Zaheer Ud-Din-Babar from the University of Auckland’s School of Pharmacy.

"Our study supports those policy-makers and researchers that call for higher price transparency.“

Melanoma drug controversy

The research comes amidst discussion over drug purchasing agencyPharmac's decision not to fund expensive melanoma drug Keytruda.

Experts contacted by the SMC noted that confidential pricing agreements may in fact be helping New Zealanders in the long run.

"The authors argue that this lack of transparency means organizations that set prices through external price referencing risk overpaying - which makes sense,” said Dr Nisha Nair, a Public Health Medicine Specialist at the University of Otago Wellington.

“But the flipside is that this ‘lack of transparency’ probably allows organizations that set prices through other means (such as tendering for supply, or negotiating for ‘packages’ of drugs) to pay less than other countries. Pharmac is one example of such an organization.”

"Perhaps the question is do we keep things confidential and protect our own backyard? Or make everything more transparent for the possibility (not the probability) that other countries might pay less, and in that process, almost certainly pay more ourselves?"

Read more expert commentary on the Science Media Centre website.

Pressure grows in Paris talks

Negotiators are being pushed to agree on a draft document to be further discussed at a high-level meeting next week.

The number of working groups has been decreased to accelerate negotiations and meet the deadline for next week.

According an official statement “ a new text is expected on Thursdayevening or Friday morning [local time].

“By Saturday lunchtime, negotiators have to present a draft agreement that is as legible as possible, with a maximum of settled options, before Ministers take over on Monday.”

According to RNZ's Chris Bramwell, who is reporting from Paris, "One of the main problems is around finance - how much the richer, more industrialised countries should pay the poorer, emerging economies to help them adapt to, and mitigate, climate change."

You can read a round up of recent related COP21 coverage on the Science Media Centre website.

Journalists seeking to get in touch with New Zealand experts, both in Paris and New Zealand, for reaction and comment can contact the SMC.

We will also be collating announcements, news coverage and expert reaction on the Science Media Centre website under the COP21 tag, available here.

Policy news & developments

Water report: The Land and Water Forum have published a new report recommending to exclude livestock from waterways.

Cancer data: The Ministry of Health has published the latest data collected in national cancer registries.

High value food: Funding for seven projects in the High Value Nutrition National Science Challenge, totalling $7 million, has been announced.

Hep A cases prompt berry recall

Authorities have traced the cause of several cases of Hepatitis A to a particular brand of frozen imported berries, prompting a product recall.

Yesterday the Ministry of Primary Industries directed company FSL Foods to recall their Fruzio Mixed Berries sold in 1kg and 500 gram bags. The product contains blackberries and strawberries.

The recall comes after an announcement from MPI on Monday saying they were investigating packaged imported frozen berries as a possible source of four human cases of Hepatitis A.

Despite the recall, MPI is advising consumers to briefly boil any frozen berries before eating them, or ensure that cooking exceeds 85 degrees Celsius for one minute.

"Our investigation is ongoing and, at this stage, our advice concerning all imported frozen berries stays the same," says Peter Thomson, MPI’s Director, plants food and environment. “We are not able to rule out further recalls."

Earlier this year an outbreak of Hepatitis A in Australia was linked to pre-packaged berries, and there was concern in New Zealand last year when a Hawke’s Bay fruit packhouse worker was diagnosed with Hepatitis A.

Consultant microbiologist Dr John Brooks, told the SMC that the virus, spread by fecal contamination, does not colonise plants and fruits and cannot multiply on them.

“If frozen berries have indeed caused the four recent cases seen in New Zealand, it is because the berries have been contaminated with faeces during handling.”

“The contamination has most likely come from an infected food handler, but might have come from human waste used for field irrigation or from faecally contaminated water used in processing.

Despite berries already being linked to the Australian Hepatitis A outbreak, Dr Brooks said there is nothing peculiar about berries.

“Any food may be contaminated if infected handlers are careless about personal hygiene. A person known to be suffering from Hepatitis A should not be permitted to handle foods for others.”

Read more expert commentary on the Science Media Centre website. Food safety specialist Dr John Brooks also participated in a live chatwith Stuff.co.nz at lunchtime today.

Quoted: New Zealand Herald

"While it's sad for the robins it's exciting to be making new scientific discoveries like this, and potentially uncover a new behaviour that might change the way we look at our national icon."

Dr Rachael Shaw, from Victoria University Wellington, comments on never before seen tough territorial behaviour exhibited by a Kiwi attacking encroaching robins.

Four new science media projects

From a sci-fi comic to a science comedy podcast, these four projects seek to engage the public with science in diverse ways.

The Science Communicator's Conference was held in Wellington this week and saw a wide range of presentations that show the growing sophistication and depth of thinking around science communication efforts in New Zealand.

One of the conference sessions saw Science Media Centre Director Peter Griffin showcase four fledgling new media projects with strong involvement from scientists.

Read this Sciblogs post to find out more about Jiwi's Machines, Sci21, Astarons and Stupid Questions for Scientists.

Science Media Centre NZ

Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.

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