REGULAR SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 210, 2 June 1944, Page 4

REGULAR SUPPLY

Penicillin Obtained From Overseas ENOUGH FOR URGENT CASES No Local Manufacture Arrangements have been made for a regular supply of penicillin from overseas. which will be increased cousideral ly during the year. This announcement was made hist, night by the Minister of Health. Mr. Nordmeyer, who said that, while initially the quantity would not be adequate for our full needs it would ensure that most urgent eases would have the advantage of the new treatment. After his return from Australia Dr. P. P. Lynch submitted a comprehensive report on the result of his investigations in Australia concerning the methods of manufacturing penicillin and the practicability of manufacturing it in New Zealand, said the Minister. Subsequently a conference had been held between officers of the Health Department, together with Dr. J. O. Mercer aud Dr. Lynch, as a result of which it had been decided to recommend to the Government that in view of the technical difficulties which at present appeared to be insuperable, no attempt should ,be made to manufacture penicillin iu New Zealand in the meantime. It was, however, agreed that further information should lie obtained, and if possible the advice of a world-renowned authority on penicillin secured as to the possibilities of manufacture, particularly if changes were adopted in the method used. “Dr. Lynch’s investigations in Australia have assured him that production will be increased considerably during the next few months, till ultimately the Commonwealth is providing sufficient for her own and possibly New Zealand's requirements,” said Mr. Nordmeyer. "American production has also increased to a stage where we can anticipate that a portion of our needs can be supplied from that source. In the meantime the laboratories in 'the four main centres are being advised of the methods to be adopted in testing penicillin so that when supplies begin to arrive regularly means are available of carrying out the investigations necessary in connexion with its use. In addition the medical profession is being circularized emphasizing the conditions for which penicillin is likely to be of benefit, together with particulars of the method of use, dosage required, etc. “I cannot stress too strongly,” said the Minister, “that miraculous as is the result of the use of penicillin in certain cases there are unfortunately many conditions iu which its use has no effect. Though one can appreciate thoroughly the desire of patients themselves and their relatives to try out any new substance when it appears to offer some hope of cure or even of relief, it will, I think, be agreed that with the present restricted supplies of penicillin, it should be used only* for thosp cases where experience has shown it is likely to be of value in the saving of life.”