New Drug Tariff Under Social Security

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1942, Page 7

New Drug Tariff Under Social Security

[Per Press Association—Copyright] WELLINGTON, This Day

Important alterations in the drug tariff are announced by the Minister for Health (Mr Nordmeyer). They will come into force on February 1. The new tariff sets out in some detail the substance or classes of substances that are accepted as a charge on the Social Security Fund, and those that are excluded.

Some of the substances now included, such as liver products administered by injection, and the sulphanilamide drugs and their derivatives, may be obtainable only under brand, but may nevertheless be supplied wholly or in part at the cost of the fund, provided they comply with a standard not lowe r than that described in the official monograph if there is one applicable. Patient to Pay. Extra Cost

In the case of more expensive brands, a patient must pay any cost in excess of the price allowed from the fund.

The amount of pharmaceutical requirements that may be ordered at the cost of the fund on any one prescription has been amended to provide tr'at in general only five days’ supply may be gathered and, if directed, this may be repeated once not later than 30 days after the date oi the presentation of the prescription. To provide for the requirements of patients suffering from chronic conditions, a medical practitioner may order, at the cost of the fund, a supply sufficient for not more than 30 days’ treatment, which may be supplied in the manner most convenient, but in the case of the sulphanilamide group, five days’ supply only may be given in one prescription.