PHARMAC and tobacco control in New Zealand: government policy 'up in smoke'.
There is increasing concerning amongst the medical profession in New Zealand about the adverse effect that PHARMAC has on the health of New Zealanders through restricting the availability of medications. In this article, the circumstances surrounding the restrictions limiting the availability of the smoking cessation treatment bupropion are presented. The authors conclude that the decision by PHARMAC not to fund bupropion is directly contrary to Government policy and is inconsistent with evidence-based medicine and international recommendations. It is suggested that the PHARMAC decision seriously questions the Ministry of Health's commitment to smoking cessation and the health of disadvantaged groups in New Zealand, particularly Maori.
Holt
Shaun
S
Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.
Harwood
Matire
M
Aldington
Sarah
S
Beasley
Richard
R
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017277:Drug Approval; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000379:methods*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016642:Bupropion