[e-drug] Crisis in the Australian PBS (cont)

["Ken Harvey" <k.harvey@latrobe.edu.au>]

E-drug: Crisis in the Australian PBS (cont)
---------------------------------------------
DEMOCRACY ONLINE VIA AUSTRALIAN ABC-TV
Last night, PBAC controversy was the subject of the Australian 
Broadcasting Corporation's prestigious 45 minute TV current affairs 
show - Four Corners.

The transcript of ABC-TV "Four Corners" program exposure of the
PBAC controversy is now available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s248583.htm

Following the program, an on-line forum was opened for people to 
discuss the issues raised in the program.
On-line forum comments can be accessed at:
http://www2b.abc.net.au/4corners/sforum39/ (see below)

Heartfelt thanks to all E-druggers and others who helped, especially
Jonathon Quick (the voice of WHO on the program) and Graham Dukes (online
forum panellist).

And sincere congratulations to Don Birkett, David Henry and other former
PBAC members who spoke out about Ministerial and Industry perfidiousness.
Well done indeed!

Dr. Ken Harvey, Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health,
Room 221, Building HS1 (NW9),
La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Australia,
Telephone +61 3 9479 5773, Facsimile +61 3 9479 1783, Personal mobile 0419
181910,
Internet: http://www-sph.health.latrobe.edu.au/kharvey/


A sample of the online forum posts follow:

From: Andrew 19/02/01 22:27:05
Subject: Government Integrity post id: 875

Congratulations Liz Jackson (presenter) on your report. It is deeply
concerning that the Government can be influenced as such to quickly undo the
enormous good work & skill base of the PBAC. Roll on the SA state & Federal
elections

From: graham dukes (panellist) 19/02/01 21:39:42
Subject: re: Health economics valuation post id: 32

Yes, Peter, many countries are trying to use health economics studies but
their quality is often very poor. The best approach I have ever seen, in any
part of the world, was when I was privileged to attend a meeting of the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Committee a year ago, they got closer to deciding
what a drug was worth in monetary terms than any other body I know.

From: David Ernst 20/02/01 0:51:23
Subject: I've had a gutfull post id: 956

Before tonights show I was a Liberal supporter. This has really been the
straw that has broken the camels back. Bye bye Wooldridge, bye bye Howard -
just like the libs that were kicked out in WA in an election they shouldn't
have lost, u guys are gone.

From: Tom Keatley 20/02/01 0:40:32
Subject: Health Costs in General post id: 950

The cost of health appears to be spiralling out of control all over the
planet... I feel that matters to do with health/life should not be run on a
profit motive but rather be under government control. Free enterprise may be
well and good in other areas but health is not one of them. Governments (in
theory anyway) have but one function ...to care for people. We elect them to
make decisions for all of us that are either impractical or inefficient for
an individual to carry out. Take health OUT of the free enterprise system...

Tom

From: Paul 19/02/01 22:39:30
Subject: How pollies behave post id: 858

I think the most upsetting aspect of the program was the well-fed
countenance of an elected representative obviously no longer serving the
interests of the public he supposedly represents, and doing so with the
disdain of someone who has been in the job too long.

From: glen 19/02/01 22:41:41
Subject: gov't and big business post id: 819

the way our gov't is bending over to suit multinationals and their bank
balance is treachery and those responsible should be treated as such. when
is the weak aussie gov't going to get some BALLS and stand up for the
people. ROLL ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION.

From: Tim 19/02/01 22:47:57
Subject: Woolridge post id: 768

Dr. Wooldridge lost me when he made that disgraceful and cowardly personal
attack on one of the senior members of the PBAC under Parliamentary
privilege

From: Trevor Nichols 19/02/01 23:05:46
Subject: re: US vs AUS Pharmaceuticals post id: 697

"The Liberal Govt under John Howard, with Michael Wooldridge as Health
Minister will NOT be getting my vote in the forthcoming Federal election."
Me neither!

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