Man keeps wife in hospital to get drug

A Hawke's Bay man is keeping his wife in hospital in an attempt to get free access to a drug vital to her well-being.

Joanne Piper, 45, is suffering from a degenerative condition affecting her organs, which inhibits her ability to keep food down, The Dominion Post reported today.

The drug Ondansetron controls her vomiting, but her husband Kevin said they can only get free access to it while Mrs Piper stays in hospital.

Otherwise, a course of 10 tablets will cost the couple $150.

Mr Piper said Hawke's Bay Hospital staff had so far indicated they were not prepared to prescribe the drug for his wife to take at home.

So Mr Piper is refusing to sign her discharge papers until the hospital agrees to prescribe a daily dose of the drug.

"They are just trying to get her out of the door," he said.

A spokeswoman for Hawke's Bay District Health Board, Karalyn van Deursen, said a meeting between a senior hospital specialist and Mr and Mrs Piper had been scheduled for today to discuss their concerns.

Ms van Deursen said hospital staff were doing everything they could for Mrs Piper.

- NZPA