Forum Archive Index - October 2001

["Peter Robertson" <p.robertson@clear.net.nz>]

I work in the Health system (Retail Pharmacy actually). This morning I was reading a diatribe from "Pharmac" regarding how they have recently negotiated a lower price on Heart pills with a generic supplier. The only problem is that, once again, all patients now have to take a different pill, & no doubt some of them will/may find it doesn't control their blood-pressure as well. Wost-case scenario is someone may have a stroke & die, or require a long stay in Hospital. The waffle from "Pharmac" touts the SAVINGS to the TAXPAYER of 6 million dollars.

 It sickens me that I read this on the same day that these fools decided to throw $885 million at AirNZ.

 Maybe next week they will fund another $885 million for Hospital operations & new medicines for NZers (as we are currently worse off that Turkey in regards to access to the latest Pharmaceuticals).I won't hold my breath.

 This posting may be a trifle off-topic, but I am very surprised to see so little written on this forum on this debacle. This money is over $200 from every man, woman & child in this country. Next budget, watch the gst rate go to 20%!!!.  I love this country but it wears you down, -I'd seriously contemplate moving to Australia if I had the energy & I didn't have an aversion to VB & Fosters.!!