The RMI is recommending the trial implementation of a fair and transparent decision-making process for assessing funding for high cost medicines in its submission to the High Cost Medicines Review Panel.
  Health Minister Tony Ryall set up the High Cost Medicines Review Panel in May to recommend ways to improve access to high-cost, highly specialised medicines.
  RMI has asked the panel to consider introducing mandatory timeframes for deciding on funding applications and to publish information on the status of applications.
  “PHARMAC urgently needs to improve the information available about the existence and status of funding applications and make it publicly available on its website,” RMI CEO Denise Wood says.
  RMI also wants to see the existing framework for purchasing medicines revised to make it suitable for all pharmaceuticals.
  “There is no justification for treating the funding of high cost medicines any differently to other medicines,” Mrs Wood says.
  RMI has called for a level of investment in modern medicines that reflects the health needs of New Zealanders.
  “Prescription medicines play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of disease, pain and disability. Yet compared to other developed nations New Zealanders' access to modern, innovative medicines is severely restricted - slow and low,” she says.
  The panel will report to the Minister in mid 2010.

Technical expert joins RMI

  Restricting people’s access to subsidised medicines can cause social deprivation, according to RMI’s new technical manager Kevin Sheehy.
  Mr Sheehy and his family moved to Wellington from Cape Town, South Africa, where he was a partner in a large general practice in Cape Town. Through his work, he saw the problems generated by restricting people’s access to medicines.
  “Certain medicines can be life changing, for example treatments for asthma and diabetes. I have seen first hand the social deprivation that limiting access to these medicines can cause in terms of preventing patients from making a full contribution to society and enjoying quality of life.
  “I think access should be far better in New Zealand than it is when you consider that the pharmaceutical budget is a small proportion of the entire health budget and that some of that budget is spent on programmes which have no proven benefits. In contrast, pharmaceuticals have proven benefits and are rigorously tested,” Mr Sheehy says.
  Mr Sheehy joins the RMI from medicines regulator Medsafe where he oversaw the safety and availability of drugs.  Mr Sheehy started on November 2.

 

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Medical education versus pharmaceutical promotion

  The delicate balance between continuing medical education and promotion of new medicines was the focus of RMI Chairman Dr Pippa McKay’s speech to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) in Rotorua in October.

  Dr MacKay says the industry is well resourced and knowledgeable about its medicines and how best to use them.

  “The pharmaceutical industry is full of people who have worked at the coal face of the health sector and are driven by their belief in the ability of their portfolio of medicines to help the lives of patients.

  “Meanwhile clinicians are hungry for education about new medicines, and new ways of using medicines so it makes sense for the industry and the medical profession to work together,” Dr MacKay says.

  Dr MacKay says the industry and medical profession have worked out for themselves where the fine line between medical education and the promotion of medicines is drawn and redrawn if necessary.

  RMI believes a good balance has been achieved that undoubtedly leads to better patient care.

 

This newsletter is published on behalf of the Researched Medicines Industry Association of New Zealand. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the RMI. For further information: Researched Medicines Industry Association PO Box 10447 Wellington Phone 04 499 4277 http://www.rmianz.co.nz subscribe unsubscribe