Pharmac is almost universally hated by GPs. The incomprehensible funding decisions. The endless “special authorities” designed only to stop you prescribing a drug. The sudden unexpected loss of control of a patient’s disease because of a change to a cheaper brand. The dwindling choice of drugs which becomes horribly apparent when you try to prescribe [...]

No sooner has Phil Goff sort-of apologized for Labour losing the plot in their last term in government, when along comes the amazing medical dunce, Ruth Dyson, to suggest that Labour would be willing to fund condoms in supermarkets. Only the plain ones, of course, least she be accused of wasting money (perish the thought!). [...]

The Pope has managed to get himself into hot water again by apparently suggesting that promotion of condoms may exacerbate the problem of AIDS in Africa. It is hard to know what to make of this statement. If he meant that condoms are useless in the fight against AIDS then he is most emphatically wrong. If he [...]

I couldn’t resist commenting on Pharmac’s latest funding frolic – flavoured condoms! Never let it be said that the guys at Pharmac are a bunch of party-poopers. You can now get differing colours, sizes and flavours! Now you can ask for an extra-large chocolate at your GP, although he might think you’ve mistaken his surgery [...]

Wonderful illustration of false fear-inducing headlines in the Herald today “Shortage of contraceptive sparks baby-boom worry”. Now that’s an impressive media beat-up. This is not a complete dearth of all contraceptives, of course, this is a temporary shortage of the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera. But the opening line does nothing to allay your fears: A South [...]