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'They make a difference' - Modern medicines not being funded for Kiwis, industry group says

April 20, 2018

Dr Kate Baddock says the new code of practice for pharmacists could lead to people mistaking an alternative remedy to real, scientifically-proven medicine.

Nearly a quarter of a million Kiwis are missing out on the latest in modern medicine, Medicine New Zealand says, because our country is dragging its feet in terms of getting them here.

Dr Graeme Jarvis of Medicines New Zealand, speaking this morning to TVNZ 1's Breakfast, said medicines that have been proven to be effective are simply not being funded.

Health funding has been flat-lining for a number of years now, Dr Jarvis said, and that for every dollar spent on medicines, three to ten dollars are saved in terms of reduced hospitalisation for chronic illness sufferers.

"So they are very cost effective - they keep people out of the hospitals which we all know are struggling and they actually help medical practitioners and patients make the right choice," he said.

"These have been proven to be very effective in our peer nations such as Australia and England as well - they fund these medicines ... so I think really we need to get on a fund them.

"These are high priority medicines that are better than what we've currently got ... they make a difference."

Dr Jarvis said the medicines have all passed clinical trials and are accepted by Medsafe.

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