Action on Eltroxin now urgent

new-zealand-national-party

Mon Sep 08 2008 12:00:00 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)

Action on Eltroxin now urgent

Monday, 8 September 2008, 3:35 pm
Press Release: New Zealand National Party

Jackie Blue MP
National Party Associate Health Spokeswoman

8 September 2008

Immediate action is needed to resolve an unfolding crisis of ill health from a new formulation of Eltroxin, a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid, says National Party Associate Health spokeswoman Jackie Blue.

“Ever since patients started taking the new formulation earlier this year problems started to surface.

“What started as a trickle of bad reactions to Eltroxin is now an avalanche.

“I don’t buy the excuses. Medsafe and Pharmac have known about this problem for months and nothing has happened.

“It has been left to Pharmacists to scramble around to find alternative stocks from overseas.

“But the stocks coming in aren't subsidised so there's a cost to the patient, which is a problem for some.”

Dr Blue, a former breast physician, says reports to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) in Dunedin have skyrocketed.

“Earlier this year the number of adverse reports was less than 50. Now it’s up to 800.

“This problem is real. It’s not psychosomatic. People’s lives have been turned upside down as a result.

“I’d urge anyone suffering ill health as a result of the new formulation Eltroxin to report it to CARM either through their pharmacist, GP, or email carmnz@stonebow.otago.ac.nz .

“Maybe then the Government just might begin to appreciate that there is an unfolding crisis,” says Dr Blue.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

a.supporter:hover {background:#EC4438!important;} @media screen and (max-width: 480px) { #byline-block div.byline-block {padding-right:16px;}}

Using Scoop for work?

Scoop is free for personal use, but you’ll need a licence for work use. This is part of our Ethical Paywall and how we fund Scoop. Join today with plans starting from less than $3 per week, plus gain access to exclusive Pro features.

Join Pro Individual Find out more

Find more from New Zealand National Party on InfoPages.