By REBECCA WALSH
New Zealand women could have access to a greater number of fully funded oral contraceptives by the end of next year.
Pharmac, the Government's drug-buying agency, plans to call for tenders next month for the supply of oral contraceptives.
The move comes a year after the initial request for
proposals was withdrawn because of women's health groups fears that tendering would cut choice and bring a surge in unwanted pregnancies.
But Pharmac medical director Dr Peter Moodie said that while the aim of tendering was to cut costs, it would not reduce choice.
"It has the potential to increase access because it's ensuring there's a fully funded option in each strength [or combination of pill]."
About 224,000 New Zealand women on oral contraceptives can choose from 28 brands, made from 16 different chemical combinations.
About 34 per cent use the eight fully subsidised brands - Levlen, Triquilar, Monofeme, Norimin, Trifeme, Microgynon 50, Femulen and Estelle 35. The other 66 per cent pay a part-charge, the difference between the Government subsidy and the retail price.
Dr Moodie said under Pharmac's proposal, all 16 chemical combinations would be fully funded - at present five are - provided appropriate tenders were received. But that would mean only one brand of a particular combination was funded.
The Family Planning Association's medical director, Dr Christine Roke, said it was worried that women might make mistakes if they swapped pills, raising the risk of an accidental pregnancy.
Dr Moodie said issues such as packaging would be "revisited" before any tender was awarded.
A spokeswoman for the drug company Schering NZ said tendering meant women would pay more for the pill of their choice.
