ADVISORY BODIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23121, 20 August 1938, Page 18

ADVISORY BODIES

DOCTORS ON ALL PHARMACY BENEFIT TERMS A NATIONAL FORMULARY [liV TEL. KG I! A I'll —SI'KCIAT. It El'OHTKll] WELLIXG TOX, Friit;iy Tito constitution and i'uwj ions of the proposed three central advisory bodies under the health section of the social security scheme are described as follows by tlie Minister of Health, the Hon. P. l'Yaser, in a document made public to-day:— (1) Central Medical Committee.This is a body representative of the profession that is to form the means ol consultation by the Minister on matters alfecting medical service under the scheme. It would correspond with the Insurance Acts Committee of tin? British Medical Association under the British scheme. It is proposed thai 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 Ofago University, the Australasian College of Surgeons, and the Australasian College of Physicians. Quality and Prices of Drugs

Of the seven members, four would be general practitioners, one a member of tho faculty' of medicine, one a member of the College of Surgeons, and one 11 member of the College ol Physicians. (2) Central Pharmaceutical Committee.—This committee would 1 be appointed to advise in reference to the preparation of: (a) A national pharmacopoeia or formulary. (b) A drug tariif, which includes: — (i.) The prices on the basis of which the payment for drugs and appliances ordinarily supplied is to be calculated, (ii.) Tho method for calculating the payment for drugs not mentioned in the drug tariff, (iii.) 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. Doctors in Rural Areas (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 bo nominated by the Central Medical Committee, but would not necessarily be members of that committee. (;!) Central Health Committee.—l his 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 or that committee.

HELP OF PROFESSION MINISTER'S THANKS LETTER TO PRESIDENT READY CO-OPERATION [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER | WELLINGTON, Friday According to his letter, made public to-day, the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Frasor, was under tho impression, just before the Social Security Bill mado its appearance, that all important matters but one at issue between the Government and tho No w Zealand branch of the British Medical Association regaiding the proposed national medical service had been virtually settled.

Tho Minister's letter is dated August 11, the day before tlie bill's introduction, and is addressed to the president of the branch, Dr. J. P. S. Janiicson, who •wrote in reply on August 13 that liis association was not prepared to offer further co-operation in regard to tho proposals. "As promised," the Minister wrote, "I am sopding this letter by way of formal confirmation of the statement made by tho lion. Mr. Nash at our meeting last evening with Mr. T. D. M. Stout, Dr. P. P. Lynch and yourself. Our object is to inform your association not only of the principal features of the bill affecting tho profession, but also of those details of the proposed administrative arrangements that have been the subject of representations by the association."

The concluding passage of the Minister's letter is as follows: — "In forwarding this confirmatory letter, I am glad to take the opportunity of expressing appreciation of the constructive criticism and the able and ready assistance afforded by your association's representatives in formulating a suitable system of administration. "It is recognised that agreement has not so far been reached with the association on the important matter of vhe qualification of persons entitled to chiiin medical mid other treatment benefits to bo provided under the legislation. However, from the recent discussion 1 formed tho impression, which 1 gathered was shared by your two colleagues and yourself, that apart from the matter just mentioned, there is nothing of importance that is likely to be an issue of any difiiculty with your association."

COMPANIES' POSITION MEANING OF "PERSON" POINT TO BE CLEARED UP Some four lins boon expressed that, under tho Social Security liil 1 companies may bo rendorod liable for taxation at tho rato of Is in the pound on account of tho legal interpretation of tho word "person." Section 109 of tho bill lays it clown that, subject to special provisions for exemption, "every person shall bo liable for payment of the social security contribution." According to tho Acts interpretation Act, 1924, "person" includes a corporation sole, and also a body of persons, whether corporate or incorporate. Further, for tho purpose of tho Land and Income Tax Acts "person" includes a company and a local or public authority. This would appear to bring companies and corporations within tho scope of clause 109, were it not that tho clause coos on to read, "Every person shall be liable for payment of tho social security contribution who, boing of tho ago of 16 years or upwards, is for tho time being ordinarily resident in Now Zealand." This would appear to restore to tho word "person" its ordinary uso in normal speech.