Review of contraceptive subsidies worries Family Planning Ass'n

By FRANCESCA MOLD health reporter

A proposal which could result in a reduction in the number of contraceptive pills financed by the Government may spark a rise in unwanted pregnancies, say health groups.

The Government's drug-funding agency, Pharmac, has asked drug companies to submit commercial proposals for the supply of IUDs and of contraceptive pills, among other drugs.

If the suppliers fail to come up with a reasonable price, Pharmac will put the drugs and contraceptive devices out to tender in a bid to cut costs to the taxpayer.

But a tendering process is likely to result in only six of about 20 pill brands and one of three IUDs being fully subsidised.

This would mean women could still take contraceptive pills containing the same formula or dose as the one they use now, but it might be a different brand.

Women wanting to stay on an unsubsidised brand could face a price rise of up to $16 a prescription.

The Family Planning Association and doctors are concerned at the reduction to six brands and the effect of a possible increase in contraceptive costs.

Association medical director Christine Roke said women would still have choice if the change went ahead but those forced to alter their brand could be confused by different packaging, leading to more accidental pregnancies.

"Swapping pills is a dangerous practice," she said.

The chairwoman of the Medical Association, Dr Pippa MacKay, said she would be concerned if the number of subsidised contraceptive pills was reduced.

She believed six subsidised brands would be too few.

"It would be cutting options down too far."

New Zealand's rate of unplanned pregnancies was high, Dr MacKay said, and health professionals wanted to reduce rather than encourage that rate.

There were cases of women becoming pregnant accidentally because they could not afford to pay for the pill, she said.

Increasing costs could push the unwanted pregnancy rate higher.

Pharmac general manager Wayne McNee said the decision whether to go to tender would not be made until December, after discussions with doctors and Family Planning.

Mr McNee said that if the proposal went ahead, Pharmac would work with prescribers to ensure women were educated about the changes.