Fed: Gillard urges Abbott to take expert advice on calcium

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2005
Fed: Gillard urges Abbott to take expert advice on calcium

Labor says Health Minister TONY ABBOTT should immediately release expert advice on
the government's decision to stop subsidising calcium tablets.

Kidney specialists have warned that removing the tablets from the Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme from December this year will affect thousands of patients.

The government has sought advice from its expert advisory group, the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Advisory Committee, about the cuts.

Mr ABBOTT is due to table that advice tomorrow.

But Opposition health spokeswoman JULIA GILLARD says he should publicly agree to abide
by its contents today.

She says PBS-subsidised drugs used to treat bone thinning are only effective when taken
with calcium.

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KEYWORD: CALCIUM LABOR (CANBERRA)

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