WORKING WELL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21958, 9 May 1941, Page 4

WORKING WELL

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (P.A.) WELLINGTON. May 8. The response by chemists to th< scheme of social security pharmaceutical benefits since they were first mad< available on May 5 was referred to b] the Minister of Health in an interview to-night. He said it appeared fron the preliminary returns that a vast majority of the chemists of the Dominion were operating the benefits ant were prepared to accept contract: under the scheme. Inquiries had beer made by some chemists about certair features of the contracts, and it was anticipated that practically the whole of the chemists would accept then within the next week. Mr Nordmeyer said that in the eariy weeks of a scheme of this magnitude anomalies might tnainfest themselves In this connection he was particularly anxious where chemists found difficulties and were prepared to make suggestions, that they write to the Director-General of Health or himself. If they did this their representations would receive consideration at an early meeting of representatives of the chemists and officers of the Health Department. Replying to an inquiry whether the Government intended to exclude al proprietaries permanently. Mr Nordmeyer said investigations were already being made into certain proprietaries, and where these had no Britist Pharmacopoeia equivalent it was likely that they would be added to the free list later. The public should know that some proprietaries were simply expensive forms of a simple combination of drugs which a doctor may prescribe and the patient secure free.

President Improves President Roosevelt's stomach condition is reported to have improved. The fever has decreased, but the President’s physician has advised Mr Roosevelt to remain at the White House until to-day.