Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:628;Page:265] 
12.  
Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: In the event of a pandemic who are the priority groups that will qualify for Tamiflu? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Acting Minister of Health) 
: There are no predetermined priority groups. In fact until a pandemic actually transpires it is impossible to determine who will be most affected. Decisions on the use of antivirals will be made by the Pandemic Influenza Technical Advisory Group with expert advice as any pandemic unfolds. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: What action will the Minister take to manage the increasing public perception that Tamiflu is the major answer to bird flu? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: With the release of a plan as was done yesterday and by keeping the public fully informed about the realities of this possible pandemic we believe that we are doing everything possible to keep the public fully informed. Tamiflu is not the answer to a pandemic. It is one of a number of things that will no doubt evolve if—and hopefully not when—we have to respond to this. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: As a draft list of priority groups has been drawn up by the Ministry of Health will the Minister release that list publicly so that people in business and the emergency services can include that information in their planning for a pandemic? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: I am not aware of that draft list but until a pandemic is emerging—until we have an actual outbreak—it is impossible for us to predetermine what groups be they ethnic geographical or otherwise may be affected by it. It will be up to the expert advisory group to make recommendations to the Government at that time. 
Darien Fenton 
: What information has the Government made publicly available about the response to a possible influenza pandemic? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: Yesterday the Government released a New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan. The plan is a working document to assist Government agencies district health boards and communities across New Zealand with their planning. New Zealand is at the forefront of international planning to combat a possible influenza pandemic. Our plan is based on the most up-to-date knowledge we have about the possible ways that an influenza pandemic will affect people and how it could affect New Zealand society and our economy. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Should individuals stockpile a supply of Tamiflu; if not what advice does the Government have for the substantial part of the population who will not get access to this antiviral treatment? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: As soon as this Government was aware of a possible pandemic we took immediate action. In fact in December 2004 we identified the need for Tamiflu and ordered stocks. We currently have stockpiles that cover 21 percent of the population. That is at the highest levels internationally and it compares well with the United States which has enough to cover just 7 percent of the population. Japan has 20 percent coverage and Australia has 20 percent. We believe we are doing everything possible and everything sensible to plan for this possible pandemic. There is no need for panic and there is no need to advise every single New Zealander that he or she needs to stock Tamiflu. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Should individuals stockpile a supply of Tamiflu? 
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR 
: There is no advice internationally that every individual in the world should stockpile Tamiflu. Neither have we issued any such advice. However what we would offer to every New Zealander is the age-old advice about personal hygiene. Regular washing of hands covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and keeping fingernails clean and short are also—[ 
Interruption 
] and Panadol—very sensible ways of countering any possible pandemic.