Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 25/6/24

Now that astrology is being saluted – would the cancer-drugs fuss have been foreseen if govt read the stars before Budget Day?

The news media made much of the ministerial statement which was announced just after Point of Order monitored the Beehive website yesterday.

The press statement from Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour was somewhat imprecise in announcing the government’s deliverance of “up to 26 cancer treatments” as part of an overall package of “up to 54 more new medicines”.

Chris Lynch: Government unveils $604 million boost for up to 26 new cancer treatments

The Government has announced its delivering up to 26 cancer treatments as part of an overall package of up to 54 more new medicines.

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour made the announcement this afternoon.

The Government faced strong criticism after funding for the new drugs was absent in the Budget.