Finance Minister Willis, Pharmac Chair Bennett & Regulation Minister Seymour Should Answer Multiple Sclerosis NZ

Evaluating spending and regulation decisions on the basis of objective criteria is a good thing. The standard tool in economics to do so in called Cost-Benefit Analysis. In a high quality, just-released report, Multiple Sclerosis NZ argues, with great lucidity, that Pharmac is not taking into account all costs & benefits on society when it decides which drugs to fund. When the Nats were last in power, I attended a function at which Paula Bennett spoke. She talked about the National Party's "Social Investment Approach" which was (supposedly) guiding their spending decisions. Bennett was Minister of Social Development at the time. The chap next to me, a Knight of the Realm no less, asked her, "What is the Difference Between Cost-Benefit and Social Investment?" Her answer was entertaining, in the sense it appeared she had not the remotest clue. To muddy waters even more, Pharmac uses Cost-Utility Analysis. Paula Bennett is now Chair of Pharmac. Should someone ask her, or Finance Minister Willis, or ACT Leader Seymour, "Can you explain the difference between Cost Utility (as used by Pharmac), Social Investment (as used by Willis' Department of Social Investment), and Cost-Benefit (as used by Seymour's Ministry of Regulation), I bet their eye-balls would pop out & the subject quickly changed to the Treaty, or anything.

So here's the gist of what Multiple Sclerosis NZ are saying. Pharmac often delay purchasing drugs, waiting for cheaper generics to be manufactured. However, using Nicola Willis' own Social Investment approach, early intervention can mean that someone's condition does not worsen, and they can remain highly productive members of society, with higher benefits and incurring lower costs (that are funded by taxation).  Multiple Sclerosis argue that a proper cost-benefit analysis, that includes all costs & benefits to the nation, and which encapsulates Willis' own early intervention Social Investment way of thinking, would lead to important drugs being funded now which are not (and vice versa). Its a convincing point. Willis, Bennett & Seymour should prove they're on top of their Ministries by answering it. Multiple Sclerosis NZ deserves it.

Sources:

https://msnz.org.nz/media-release-new-report-calls-for-major-change-to-pharmacs-funding-model/

Does King Charles Not Care about Poor Samoan Villagers? Does his personal comfort & security trump their lives & livelihoods, which are dependent on their lagoon. Where's his compassion?

Reports out of Samoa suggest that salvage work on the Manawanui will stop whilst King Charles is staying at the Sinalei Beach Resort and Spa. The Manawanui has sunk on the reef just off shore from that hotel. What a coincidence. Samoa's PM says "there are no talks of the Manawanui being salvaged this week" as leaders from nations gather in Apia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. ABC News Australia reports there is "Anger among affected communities as Samoa suspends Manawanui ship clean up for CHOGM". Fishers in the area have been told not to enter the waters around the shipwreck until further notice. Meanwhile, three navy ships from NZ, Australia & UK are assembling in the waters off Samoa to provide security for His Royal Highness. None of them will be on top of the wreck of the Manawanui, helping clean up the lagoon, remove its anchor that has broken a chunk off the reef, and remove the containers that have washed up and been emptied by locals, and are still sitting there. No, the Navy ships will be there for the pleasure of His Royal Highness to gaze at whilst he warms his Royal Toes in the Spa.

NZ Defense Minister Judith Collins states the oil coming out of the wreck is a "little trickle". You'd think when you lose 15% of your Navy, the Defense Minister would go look at the site herself. There are no reports of her having done so. Mr Letoa, a former Samoan MP said Ms Collins's statement was "unkind and careless". Reverend Feata Perelini from Lotofaga village said the impact on communities dependent on fishing had been devastating. No level of expertise could bring the marine environment back to its original state, he said. The villagers want compensation. The NZ government is offering them none. Is the NZ Defense Minister & Navy asserting the Reverend is not telling the truth?