Healthcare cost review urged

Two political parties are calling for a review of healthcare costs after a survey showed one in five New Zealanders do not pick up prescriptions.

The survey by US-based health researcher the Commonwealth Fund found the cost of medicines was a prohibitive barrier in all countries but 19 per cent in New Zealand were not picking up prescriptions because of the cost. That figure compared with 20 per cent of Canadians, 22 per cent of Australians and 40 per cent of Americans.

United Future's health spokeswoman, Judy Turner, said the survey's finding was further evidence that a serious look at the pharmaceutical situation was long overdue.

"The question that always arises when some new and exciting drug comes on the market is 'can we afford it or is it too expensive'," she said. "The question we should be asking is what will it cost us if we don't make it available."

Ms Turner said costs associated with deteriorating health were immense.

Act's Heather Roy said the 19 per cent figure was 72 per cent higher than the same survey last year.

"The situation is actually deteriorating ... The survey also shows a 45 per cent increase since 2001 in the number of people discouraged from seeing their doctor by the cost of a consultation."

Mrs Roy said the Government should re-evaluate the primary health service structure and the way it was funded.

- NZPA