In the world of healthcare, access to life-saving medications is a fundamental right, yet for many New Zealanders, it seems like a distant dream. The Forbidden Pharmacy installation, a powerful statement against the current healthcare system, has sparked conversations about the dire need for change. This article delves into the personal stories of patients, the emotional toll of fundraising and traveling for treatment, and the broader implications for the country's healthcare system.
The Emotional Toll of Fundraising and Travel
Jemma Gerring, diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, has had to make the difficult choice to travel six hours from New Plymouth to Palmerston North for life-prolonging treatment. The financial burden is immense, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the emotional toll is equally heavy. "I feel guilty that I can afford to pay for this," she says, "It's inconvenient and it costs money, but I can pay for it and I really do credit this drug with making a difference in my life."
The installation's spokesperson, Tim Edmonds, emphasizes the emotional cost of these decisions. "This is having to make decisions no New Zealander should ever have to make, remortgaging homes, setting up Givealittle pages, moving to another country."
The Broader Implications for Healthcare
The Forbidden Pharmacy installation highlights the stark contrast in access to modern medicines between New Zealand and other OECD countries. According to Edmonds, "95 percent of modern medicines don't make it to the shelves here."
This raises a deeper question: why is New Zealand falling behind in providing access to life-changing medications? The answer lies in the funding process. Pharmac, the government body responsible for funding medications, has a backlog of recommended medicines that need to be funded over three years. This means that patients are left waiting for treatments that could save or extend their lives.
The Personal Impact of Unfunded Medications
For Bart Schroder, an engineer who was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer five years ago, access to an unfunded cancer medication has been a lifeline. "In my case, I'm still here four years later, which is pretty good, and I'm still feeling really good," he says. "That wouldn't have been the case, because my cancer is very aggressive... it would have taken me out so the standard treatment wouldn't have been very effective."
Schroder's story highlights the personal impact of unfunded medications. Without health insurance, he would have had to wait for treatment, which could have been fatal. "Five good years of working, contributing, selling stuff all over the place is way better than six months in a hospital. Hospital is much more expensive than just looking after me for five good years," he says.
The Way Forward
The Forbidden Pharmacy installation has brought the issue to the forefront, and politicians from various parties have visited the site. The call for action is clear: the future government must solve the problem of funding life-changing medications. Edmonds emphasizes the need for sustained investment to catch up with other OECD countries and ensure that all New Zealanders have access to the medications they need.
In my opinion, the Forbidden Pharmacy installation is a powerful reminder of the human cost of healthcare inequalities. It's a call to action for the government to address the backlog of funded medications and ensure that all New Zealanders have access to the treatments they need. The personal stories of patients like Jemma Gerring and Bart Schroder are a stark reminder of the importance of this issue. It's time for change, and the future government must rise to the challenge.
