Pharmac given increased control of hospital devices in two years...

The Seat of Government (Photo credit: Ewan-M)

PHARMAC is expanding its hold on the medical industry, by taking over control of all hospital and other medical devices within two years. The government agency already buys New Zealand's pharmaceuticals and is now doubling its workload to manage all devices by 2015. It has already taken over the management of some items, such as diabetes tests and intrauterine devices. Acting CEO Peter Moodie says there are potentially 250,000 devices to be managed by their staff. He says the switchover will save the district health boards $500 million over five years. I don't have a problem with Pharmac's  increased powers, providing the Government protects Pharmac from privatisation: ie  Constitutional controls.The proposed TPP deal needs to be given real consideration for the possible future effects on Pharmac.

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