$1M savings on drugs likely

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 6

$1M savings on drugs likely

PA Queenstown Measures to • restrict the period of supply for minor tranquillisers could save the taxpayer up to $1 million this year, said the Minister of Health (Mr Gair) when addressing the 1980 pharmacy conference at Queenstown. Indications were that the use of minor tranquillisers had dropped 20 , per cent since the restrictions were introduced, he said. “Based on the previous year’s expenditure, it would seem that if the-ztrend continues this may 'represent an annual Savirigiof about $1 million,” he said/ • There was little need for

further restrictions in this area of prescribing, but a pilot scheme would start soon to restrict the supply of antibiotics to four days. Consideration would be given in the pilot Study for requiring an endorsement on prescriptions for more than four days supply. However, doctors would be allowed to subscribe up to three months supply for long-term patients. I Mr Gair said the scheme would run for 12 months in a selected area of New Zealand and there would be discussions with the New Zealand Medical Association and the Chemists’ Guild befor it was put into effect.'