PENICILLIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 129, 2 June 1944, Page 4

PENICILLIN

OVERSEAS SUPPLIES

NO LOCAL MANUFACTURE

In the meantime no attempt is to be made to manufacture penicillin in New Zealand. The Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) said last night that further inquiries were to be made. Arrangements had been entered into ■ for New Zealand to receive a regular supply of penicillin from overseas, and the quantity would be increased considerably during the year. While initially the quantity wouia not be adequate for our full needs, it would ensure that most urgent cases 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 penicillinand 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 and Dr. Lynch,; as a result of which it had been decided to recommend to the Government that m view of the technical difficulties, which at present appeared to be insuperable, no attempt should be made to manu-; facture penicillin in New Zealand in the meantime. It was, however, agreed that further information should be 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. OVERSEAS PRODUCTION. "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 connection with its use. In addition, the medical profession is being circularised emphasising 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 in 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 those cases where experience has shown it is likely to be of value in the saving of life."