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The review of the Exceptional Circumstances schemes for medicines has been welcomed by the Researched Medicines Industry Association. "This is extremely positive news for those patients whose treatments are not provided for under the current system," Denise Wood, Chief Executive of the RMI says. "The review is an important step towards improving access to medicines and enhancing health outcomes for those New Zealanders who are most disadvantaged by the current system. "We are delighted to see that this key recommendation of the High Cost Highly Specialised Medicines Review Panel has been adopted. "Like the Government, the RMI and our members are determined to see New Zealanders get better access to medicines. We look forward to providing constructive input to the review process." The Researched Medicines Industry Association of New Zealand (RMI) represents companies engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription medicines. Ends. More money for
medicines The Researched Medicines Industry Association (RMI) welcomes the announcement in the Budget today for continued investment in medicines over the next four years. Funding for medicines will increase by $80 million over the next four years, with the government contributing an additional $40 million of that funding. This is particularly significant given the current fiscal environment. "There is a significant gap developing between the medicines funded in New Zealand and other countries, such as Australia, affecting access to medicines for New Zealanders and increasing pressure on other services. This funding should be prioritised to fund those medicines that have been given a high priority, but have not been funded to date because of budgetary constraints. Perhaps it can also be used to remove some of the restrictions on access that currently exist. Spending on medicines should be considered an investment in the health of the population and a wise use of health dollars" said Denise Wood, CEO. Ends. For further comment contact: Denise Wood, CEO
RMI welcomes panel's
report The Researched Medicines Industry Association (RMI) welcomes the publication today of the Review of Access to High-Cost, Highly Specialised Medicines in New Zealand, released by the Hon Tony Ryall, Minister of Health. We will be taking time to study the recommendations in detail but we are encouraged that the panel have listened carefully and objectively to all the submissions made” says Denise Wood, Chief Executive. The PHARMAC model needs to evolve in order to address the ever increasing gap between New Zealand and the rest of the world in terms of access to medicines; the RMI looks forward to working with the Government on taking these recommendations forward.” Ends. For further information contact: A link to the Minister’s announcement and a copy of the report is below http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=32795
Four new members were elected to the Board of the Researched Medicines Industry Association (RMI) at its AGM held in Auckland on 24 March. The professional and trade organisation representing companies engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription medicines, the RMI is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors elected annually from senior representatives of its member companies. The new members are: " Sean Evans ( General Manager, Novartis New Zealand Limited) " Chris Hourigan (Business Unit Director, Janssen-Cilag (New Zealand) Ltd) " Stuart Knight (Managing Director, Roche Products (NZ) Ltd) " Nicholas Leach (Commercial Director, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited).
L-R Denise Wood, Lex Henry, Chris Hourigan, Geoff McDonald, Darcy Downey, Alan Carter, Sean Evans, Frances Benge, Stuart Knight and Nicholas Leach. The new members join the current Board made up of Lex Henry (non-executive Chairman); Alan Carter (Vice Chairman) Country Manager, sanofi-aventis new zealand limited; Darcy Downey, Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim NZ Limited; Geoff McDonald, General Manager, GlaxoSmithKline NZ Limited; and Frances Benge, Country Lead, Pfizer New Zealand Limited. RMI CEO, Denise Wood, said the organisation would be strengthened by the blend of experience represented in the new Board. "I'm delighted that the skills and continuity provided by the returning members fit so well with the fresh input the new members will bring to the table," Ms Wood said. NOTE: Photographs of new Board and individual Board members are available from the RMI.
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Media Backgrounder While the determinants of health are varied and complex, prescription
medicines play a vital role in the prevention, amelioration and
treatment of disease and disability and are an essential tool for
improving health outcomes for New Zealanders.
The RMI believes that to achieve these benefits a number of policy issues need to be addressed. These include:
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