Copayment

If you remove copayment it can remove a barrier for my family seeking pharmaceutical care. It will encourage the elderly and struggling young families  to seek care before their illness escalates. 

Why the contribution is important

If we nip illness in the bud it saves NZ financially as it will cut down hospital costs and free up hospital beds. 

by JulsDodd on April 24, 2023 at 08:07PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 5.0
Based on: 12 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Medicina April 25, 2023 at 17:26

    The co-payment is not having it's intended effect (reducing waste and cost). There are many more costs to the health system than $5 when a person doesn't collect and use a medicine that a doctor determined was necessary for their health.
    There might be a slight reduction in pharmaceutical waste but there is a much higher waste of clinical time due to unresolved or compounded health problems for the person who did not use the medication when the doctor intended it to be used.
    Stop paying for people to re-attend the GP or stay in hospital for the original issue. Fully fund the medication the doctor intended them to take.
    Stop allowing discount pharmacies to loss-lead prescriptions as a market-share tactic to bombard the patient with retail messaging, unnecessary items and environmentally awful lotions and potions.
    Te Whatu Ora is spending thousands of unnecessary dollars on the results of trying to save $5. Not smart fiscal management.

  • Posted by Blacksands April 26, 2023 at 10:05

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