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How does the operation of PHARMAC's 'Community Exceptional ...

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Insights were given as to <strong>the</strong> independence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Exceptional</strong> Circumstances<br />

Panel. ‘C’ made comment that <strong>the</strong> panel only made recommendations and not<br />

decisions.<br />

We are independent <strong>of</strong> PHARMAC and that is why we were<br />

appointed by <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health. We don’t work for PHARMAC in<br />

that sense. I have always felt free to decide. (Interviewee C)<br />

‘C’ made reference to <strong>the</strong> fact that some doctors know how to complete <strong>the</strong><br />

applications for Community <strong>Exceptional</strong> Circumstances in a way that ensures<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir patients will get a subsidy. This situation militates against <strong>the</strong> patients<br />

whose doctors are unfamiliar with <strong>the</strong> system <strong>of</strong> application. This contradicts<br />

‘C’s’ own description <strong>of</strong> fairness to each patient and is a form <strong>of</strong> rationing itself.<br />

This contradiction was put to ‘C’:<br />

Q Do you think you are being fair to <strong>the</strong> patients taking a rules based<br />

attitude with <strong>the</strong>ir doctors?<br />

A If you meet <strong>the</strong> criteria you get <strong>the</strong> medicine and if <strong>the</strong> doctor knows<br />

how to work <strong>the</strong> criteria <strong>the</strong> person gets <strong>the</strong> medicine. I didn’t ever<br />

worry about being hard on <strong>the</strong> applications. The doctor has a set <strong>of</strong><br />

instructions and if <strong>the</strong> doctor <strong>does</strong> not follow those instructions well…<br />

Q The patient misses out?<br />

A Yes, <strong>the</strong> patient misses out.<br />

(Interviewee C)<br />

The matter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> affordability criteria for Community <strong>Exceptional</strong> Circumstances<br />

was raised with ‘C’. The following discussion identified that despite adjudicating<br />

on thousands <strong>of</strong> cases ‘C’ had no idea <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> criteria that ‘C’ and <strong>the</strong> Community<br />

<strong>Exceptional</strong> Circumstances Panel were supposed to be operating under. It was<br />

revealing to hear by ‘C’s’ own admission, ‘C’ was not aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> criteria.<br />

At one stage, condoms were being provided free with medicine as a<br />

form <strong>of</strong> contraception to those who could not afford <strong>the</strong>m. Suddenly<br />

every woman in New Zealand couldn’t afford to buy <strong>the</strong>m<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves. Doctors didn’t want to argue about it, didn’t want to go<br />

around checking on <strong>the</strong>ir income.<br />

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