Wise Use of Antibiotics Campaign supported by RMI
13 May 2008

"The Researched Medicines Industry fully endorses and supports PHARMAC's annual Wise Use of Antibiotics Campaign launched today" says RMI chief executive officer Ken Shirley.

"Prescription medicines play a vital role in the prevention, amelioration and treatment of disease and the pharmaceutical industry in New Zealand is committed to assisting New Zealanders in achieving these benefits through the safe and quality use of prescription medicines, he said.

"Infectious diseases have killed and crippled people throughout history and until the 20th century were the leading causes of death worldwide. Today vaccines and antibiotics are proven as effective treatments and have, until recent decades, been the major contributor to increased longevity in the developed world. Today the battle is against chronic diseases but this is in addition to the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

"Over $80billion is invested annually in pharmaceutical research and development to continue the fight against disease. It is however essential that prescription medicines are used appropriately and antibiotic use should be confined to fighting bacterial infection and not squandered ineffectively against viral infections.

"As the supplier of medicines the RMI membership wished to join with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, Plunket, the Pharmaceutical Society, the Pharmacy Guild and PHARMAC to help ensure the optimal use of the products that our industry supplies.

"In the case of antibiotics the optimal use may well mean a reduction in use and research-based pharmaceutical companies in New Zealand will continue to work closely with the primary and secondary care sectors and regulatory agencies to ensure the best outcomes for the health of New Zealanders." concluded Mr Shirley.

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