PENICILLIN SUPPLIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1944, Page 6

PENICILLIN SUPPLIES

AVAILABLE IN NEW ZEALAND

WELLINGTON, March 24 The Minister of Health (Mr Nordmeyer) to-day announced that a limited quantity of penicillin had become available to New Zealand immediately penicillin became available it was utilised for the treatment of a few of the most urgent cases, and now that a further supply had come to'hand the larger public hospitals had been notified by telegram that they should send particulars of any suitable patients to whom the substance might be of great advantage. The Government has been in close contact for some considerable time with the authorities overseas, who were responsible for the manufacture and control of penicillin, and has made representations in order to obtain it for New Zealand. The manufacture of penicillin is an extremely difficult and costly process, and the small quantities hitherto available have been largely confined to treatment of members of the Armed Forces, and to treatment of cases of an acute character, where penicillin offered the best hope of recovery. The substance has not so far been synthetically produced and until this is feasible- or until the process of manufacture can be greatly simplified, it seems unlikely that it will be generally available to more than a very small percentage of those patients who might be expected to benefit from it. Contrary to popular belief penicillin is not a cure-all. There is a considerable number of diseases on which it has no effect whatever, and others which can as well be treated by sulphonamide drugs, but there are a few infections, particularly those of an acute nature, in which penicillin treatment effects a dramatic cure, after sulphonamides have failed. NELSON PATIENT TREATED NELSON, March 24. Pencillin, the valuable new drug, has been used for the first time in New Zealand in the treatment of a patient at the Nelson Public Hospital. The patient is Roger Kingsford, aged 18, a sufferer from osteomyelitis and staphylococcus septicaemia for the past five years. This rarest of all drugs is not yet produced in sufficient quantities fully to meet the demand by civilians and it will be some time before penicillin will be available in sufficient quantities in- NewZealand. It was only as a result of the most fortunate circumstances that Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Kingsford, of Nelson, were able to secure the release of a dose for the treatment of their son who has already lost his right leg and has had two other limbs seriously threatened. He has undergone over 20 operations and has had 30 blood transfusions. He is a Boy Scout and in recognition of his courage, he gained the Cornwell Award. When the wonderful effects of penicillin became known Mr. Kingsford determined to try to secure some for his son and his persistency was finally rewarded. A year ago a request was sent to England, through the Prime Minister, but the answer stated that none could be released for civilian use. Repeated efforts were made, including an application to the United States. When all hope of success had apparently vanished a friend of Mr. Kingsford suggested a new approach through a friend in Australia. A chain of contacts eventually linked up with the Australian Government who agreed to do everything possible to help the Nelson boy who had gained the Cornwell Award and sufficient of the drug for his treatment was immediately made available, the necessary arrangements being made by the New Zealand Prime Minister. Within 24 hours ol Mr. Fraser’s official request for the penicillin reaching Australia the precious package was on its way and it actually arrived in Nelson on the same day, it being carried to Auckland on trans-Tasman air service and then on to Nelson by air. The treatment was administered by Dr. E. 11. Clarke (Medical Superintendent) and Dr. Lynch and Dr. McNickle, of Wellington, were deputed by the Government to take an interest in the application on behalf of the Health Department. The drug arrived four weeks ago and ten days’ treatment has now been completed with the initial results an indication of a most beneficial effect.