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Essential medicines must remain affordable for sick Kiwis

Tuesday 3 May 2011, 8:19AM

By Labour Party

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Unwell Kiwis would be the losers if New Zealand were to fall over in the face of the predictable attack from United States pharmaceutical companies gearing up for the next round of negotiations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, says Labour's Trade Spokesperson, Maryan Street and Labour Associate Health Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway.

"Pharmac allows the government to buy medicines economically and effectively for sick New Zealanders," Maryan Street said.

Iain Lees- Galloway said “Pharmac has saved New Zealand over $700 million over its lifetime and ensures that all New Zealanders have access to affordable medicines. It works in the interests of ordinary kiwis, not overseas businesses and that’s the way it should stay.”

"The last thing struggling Kiwi families need right now, as they watch their cost of living escalate without relief, is to have essential medicines for their elderly and their children escalate in price.

"US pharmaceutical companies strongly opposePharmac and always have, because they can not come into the New Zealand market and extort top dollar for their latest wonder drug from sick and vulnerable Kiwis. They are at liberty to sell approved medicines here, but if Pharmac can provide a subsidised medicine at cheaper rates, why would Kiwis buy the more expensive option?” Maryan Street said.

“The Government needs to draw a line in the sand and tell New Zealanders it will not trade away a system that works in our favour. Negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership should be open and transparent so we can all see what might be on the negotiating table.”

“Labour is committed to providing affordable healthcare and medicines for all New Zealanders and will always put the interests of kiwi families first,”Iain Lees-Galloway said