Roy Heather: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Roy Heather: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:629;Page:1795] 
4.  
HEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader—ACT) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What monetary value if any does Pharmac place on human life when considering new drugs for subsidy and if none why not? 
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) 
: 
 Pharmac measures outcomes in terms of improvement of quality of life and extension of life. Quality life years is one of nine criteria used by Pharmac in assessing pharmaceuticals. Other criteria include health need and effectiveness of the treatment. 
Heather Roy 
: What does he estimate is the cost to Alzheimer’s sufferers who require rest home care or 24-hour care from family members because Pharmac refuses to fund cholinesterase inhibitors that could significantly improve their dementia or is he interested only in money saved by denying those people treatment? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: The issue around acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and Alzheimer’s is not as the member would suggest. I refer her to a 2004  
Lancet  
article in which the British looked at the use of those drugs in a real-life scene and found that they made no difference. 
Hon Marian Hobbs 
: How does access to prescription medicines in New Zealand compare with access in other developed countries? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Very well. The Commonwealth Fund shows that New Zealanders have a more ready access to pharmaceuticals than do Australians Canadians and Americans. We have a lot to be proud of in that field. 
Sue Kedgley 
: Is the Minister concerned that the price of the breast cancer drug Herceptin is 50 percent higher in New Zealand than it is in the UK and does he agree that that illustrates not only how far pharmaceutical companies will sometimes go to make a profit but also the need to protect Pharmac and ensure that it can negotiate access to pharmaceuticals from as strong a position as possible? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: I thank the member for her perceptive question. However Medsafe is due to make its decision on Herceptin next Thursday and it would not be appropriate for me to comment prior to that. 
Rodney Hide 
: Will the Minister meet Epsom resident Dr Mamangalika Mendis who is suffering from cancer and would benefit enormously from Herceptin and explain to her and others who are presenting on the steps of Parliament at 1.15 tomorrow a petition signed by 17000 people the Government’s policy on drugs; if not why not? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: I am happy to explain to the member’s constituent and to the country now that Medsafe— 
Rodney Hide 
: What about tomorrow? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Now. Medsafe is the first regulatory authority in the world to look at the licensing of Herceptin. 
Rodney Hide 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. We seem to have this constant problem with Ministers. It is not a hard question. I assume the Minister is saying that he will not meet New Zealanders who are travelling to Wellington to protest. Why could the Minister not stand up and say that in the House? We have this time and time again from Ministers who are able to give an answer and refuse to. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: The Minister addressed the question. He was asked not only whether he would meet but also whether he would explain the policy. He addressed the question by explaining the policy. 
Rodney Hide 
: He’s gutless. 
Hon Harry Duynhoven 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. We have some rules in this Parliament about the way members and Ministers can be described. I take offence at what the member said. I think he should be asked to withdraw. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I must say I did not hear what the member said. If an unparliamentary term was used would the member please withdraw. No unparliamentary term was used? 
Rodney Hide 
: I said he was gutless for not fronting up. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Would you please withdraw. 
Rodney Hide 
: Well actually— 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Would the member please withdraw. 
Rodney Hide 
: I withdraw Madam Speaker. 
Dr Jonathan Coleman 
: When will the Government recognise that investment in pharmaceuticals will actually keep people out of hospital will save taxpayer money in the long run and most important will save New Zealanders’ lives? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Successive Governments have recognised that for a very long time. The member seems to confuse that recognition with the Government’s desire to achieve an appropriate level of drug treatment in New Zealand at an affordable price and we are one of the most cost-effective pharmaceutical users in the world. I say to the member that we have more medicines than Australia and we pay a small part of the price.