HEAVY DUTY ON INSULIN

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15358, 5 October 1923, Page 2

HEAVY DUTY ON INSULIN

DEPARTMENTAL RULING. BURDEN ON POOR SUFFERERS. Insulin, as druggists' sundries n.e>., 20 per cent ad valorem. That is the effect of a decision of the Customs Department. Insulin, the only hope of hundreds of diabetics in New Zealand, is one of the most expensive remedies known. It costs from 2s to 2s 6d a dose, and the patient must take two doses a clay for months, even for years, or possibly as long as life lasts. Crude drugs (whether vegetable or mineral), chemicals, serums, vaccines, surgical and dental instruments in general arc free, yet for some reason yet unknown lI.M. Customs has included insulin with "medicjinal preparations, drugs, druggists' sundries, and apothecaries' wares, n.e.i.," and charges 20 per cent duty upon it. "I certainly think that insulin ought to be included in the scrum class," said a Christchurch pathologist, when asked about the classification of the new remedy. "It is an alcohol extract of parts of the pancreas of cattle. It is not a proprietary article. "If is a rotten thing to do," said this doctor indignantly. "I can't see any reason for charging duty upon such a thing as insulin. It's a rotten way of getting revenue. The insulin treatment is going to be an enormous burden on the public hospitals of this country unless' ample supplies are made available, and the price is reduced very considerably." "I suppose that public opinion will demand that the hospitals shall give the treatment," said the reporter. "Of course it will," replied the doctor. "The hospitals certainly will give it, but diabetic patients cannot afford to pay much. The disease reduces their earning capacity, or destroys it until they are cured —yet the Customs want to tax them 20 per cent. Insulin ought to be supplied like water —there is the greatest imaginable need for it." Less than a fortnight ago, it ap-' pears, the Christchurch Hospital imported a quantity of insulin from Australia. The Customs not only insisted upon the payment of duty, but even held up the consignment for a period until the duty question was settled. More lately, a Christchurch wholesale chemist received a supply from England. He was informed that insulin was classed as "druggists' sundries," a wide class of* goods including such things as lint, bandages, throat brushes and syringes, and liable to 20 per cent duty. He worked out the price of a dose to the patient, and found that it was a little under 2s 6d —putting the treatment quite beyond the reach of poor sufferers. A Sun reporter made enquiries of the Customs Department at Christchurch, and was told that- the head office had not given any reasons for the classification. The only comment which the officials in Christchurch can make is that probably the Department has had an analysis made, and has classified the preparation accordingly-

STEPS FOR ITS REMOVAL. MINISTER AND CUITICISM. Hon. Dovvnie Stewart, Minister of Customs, states that the Department has found means by which he can exempt insuiin from duty, and steps are being taken to that end. The Minister protests against the .unjust critcism levelled at the Department, which has been accused of playing fast and loose with the tariff schedules. He says the administration of the New Zealand tariff is outstandingly fair compared with other countries. Drugs, medicines and similar goods are on the free list here 'to a greater extent than elsewhere, and where duties are imposed there is good reason therefor. In the case of insulin careful, inquiry was necessary •before it could be decided to allow free entry. ''