Review likely after flu debacle

National is urging the Government to review the way Pharmac operates.

Health spokesman Paul Hutchison says the flu vaccine crisis has highlighted the need for careful analysis of the way the Government's drug-buying agency makes decisions.

He says Pharmac has served New Zealand well in terms of keeping costs down, but Dr Hutchison says with the flu vaccine, which changes every year and is relied on by 700,000 people, it is vital to have a reliable supply.

He says Pharmac and the Government should have another look at a split tender process, to give a much greater security of supply.

He also claims Health Minister Annette King knew about the flu vaccine crisis well before she claims.

The minister says she was told there was a problem on February 28, but was not informed of the nature of it until March 7.

National's health spokesman Paul Hutchison says it is inconceivable that Pharmac, the Ministry of Health and Mrs King did not know the nature of the problem almost immediately.

He says she kept the public in the dark, and will not accept she made a major mistake.

Dr Hutchison says all his sources, including clinicians, say the nature of the problem was known in a few days.

The Health Minister, meanwhile, is hitting back at opposition parties who were quick to their get digs in over the flu vaccine shortage.

Drug company GlaxoSmithKline has come up with an extra 360,000 full-strength jabs, bringing New Zealand's current pool to more than half a million, enough to cover the most vulnerable.

Annette King is praising the work of Pharmac and the ministry in securing the doses.

She says they responded as best they could, and did not deserve the criticism thrown at them by political parties looking for votes.

The Health Ministry is now planning to have more than one supplier of flu vaccine, to cover its bases in the future.

Mrs King says more doses may well be sought, but it is no longer such a serious situation.

She says securing enough for the most vulnerable members of the population was the priority, and that has been achieved.

Pharmac denies it has been left red-faced over the flu vaccine debacle.

GSK was the primary supplier of the vaccine until last year, when it lost the contract to Merck Sharp and Dohme.

Pharmac Medical Director Dr Peter Moodie says it was a straightforward business decision.

He says whenever there is a tender someone wins and someone loses, and in this case the loser was GSK.

Dr Peter Moodie says he is delighted the company has been able to help the country out of the situation.

He indicates there are likely to be some changes, however, and says once the crisis is all over, the entire issue will be reviewed.

- NEWSTALK ZB