Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
Dr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT): Thank you, Madam Chair. I just rise briefly to contribute on this discussion regarding Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 383, in the name of Ricardo Menéndez March, and SOP 372, in the name of Dr Shane Reti.
I’d just like to hear the Minister’s input into the concept of banning such advertising. I’d like to know if the Minister has considered any unintended consequences around this, such as a lack of information that can be provided to consumers, to patients. Perhaps they might go to the GP with a request that’s not quite right but at least they’re getting some more information and they’re becoming aware of these treatments. I reflect on something on the news last night. There was a new treatment undergoing trials, very successful trials, for Alzheimer’s disease. Could something like that be caught up in this where coverage is restricted, or at least when something gets approved, they can then not actually educate the public? So what are the Minister’s thoughts on this? Thank you.
