ADVISORY BODIES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 278, 20 August 1938, Page 13

ADVISORY BODIES

Outline Of Functions And Constitution

THE CENTRAL GROUP Method Of Professional Representation A brief description of the constitution and functions of advisory bodies on which the profession would be given representation is supplied by the Minister of Health, Hon. P. Fraser, in his letter to the president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson. That referring to central committees is as follows (1) Central Medical Committee: This is a body representative of the profession that is to form the means of consultation by the Minister on matters affecting medical service under the scheme. It would correspond with the Insurance Acts Committee of the British Medical Association under the British scheme. It is proposed that the committee consist of seven members appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the council of the New Zealand branch, of the British Medical Association with special representation from the Faculty of Medicine of the Otago University, the Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australasian College of Physicians. Of'the seven members, four would be general practitioners, one a member of the Faculty of Medicine, one a member of the College of Surgeons and one a member'of the College of Physicians. (2) Central Pharmaceutical Committee: This committee would be appointed to advise in reference to the preparation of: —• (a) A national pharmacopoeia or formulary. (b) 21 drug tariff which includes: (i) The prices on the basis of which the payment for drugs and appliances ordinarily supplied is to be calculated. ; (ii) The method for calculating the payment fw drugs not mentioned in the drug tariff. (lii) Dispensing and. other fees payable in respect of the supply of drugs and appliances. (iv) Standards of quality for

drugs and appliances ordinarily supplied. (c) Terms and conditions of service for chemists and others . supplying drugs, etc.

(d) Conditions under which medical practitioners in rural areas are to be allowed or required to supply drugs, etc. ' .

’ The committee would consist of medical practitioners, pharmacists and such others as the Minister may appoint. The medical practitioners would be nominated by the Central Medical Committee, but would not necessarily be members of that committee.

(3) Central Health Committee: This is to be a central advisory body of a general character that is representative of the public generally as well as the national bodies concerned in the development and working of the scheme. It would include one or two representatives of the medical profession nominated by the Central Medical Committee, but not necessarily members of that committee.