Pharmac has no funds for HIV drug

Pharmac (Pharmaceutical Management Agency Ltd) chairman Dennis Tait said, in response to questions from Parliament's social services select committee, that a number of drugs including zidovudine, used with didanosine or zalcabitane for treating HIV, were recommended for subsidies by Pharmac, the government's drug purchasing agency.

However they would not be included on Pharmac's schedule because it could not afford them.

Central Regional Health Authority chief executive and Pharmac Board member Mr Burns said the Government had indicated that more money would be available soon, so inclusion of these drugs could then be reviewed.

However, Mr Burns said Pharmac is expected to pay $1.5 million to $2.5 million during the next two or three years in legal fees for court cases involving the pharmaceutical umbrella group Researched Medicines Industry (RMI).

The court cases involve issues of whether subsidies provided by Pharmac are adequate and challenges to extensions on drug patents so that cheaper generic drugs can be brought onto the market.

Southern TV will screen Express Report

In a followup to last week QNA asked Mr Bevan Rickerby, Southern Television general manager, for comment on the original decision to not show Express Report. The only comment to date is no comment in particular to the issue of who did they actually consult.

Maybe they consulted with Mr Grant Bradfield, deputy leader of the Christian Heritage party, who while not able to receive Southern Television had argued against screening Express Report on principle.

Note Express Report goes to air at 10pm Monday 5th February.

Auckland Free Hepatitis A Vaccinations

In an attempt to stem the current Hepatitis A epidemic Auckland Healthcare has provided one thousand vouchers for free Hepatitis A vaccinations.

The vouchers are being distributed through sex on site venues until February 24. They can be redeemed at the Burnett Centre, the Auckland Sexual Health Centre or by gay doctors Matt Wildbore or Mike Pohl.

There were 25 new infections reported in November with a drop to 19 in December.

Auckland City Planner opposes ban on sex shops

Auckland City District and Neighbourhood planning manager, David Hookway, has reccommended to the planning committee, that the council should drop its move to ban sex shops, massage parlours and adult book shops in the suburbs.

Mr Hookway says changing the district plan rules would be difficult, would be likely to cause public controversy and would likely to be challenged in the Planning Tribunal.

He went on to say the Resource Management Act says the district plan cannot further a particular moral viewpoint. Changing the rules also goes against the philosophy of the Act, which is to control the effects instead of the activities themselves.

The review followed protests last year about a sex business accross the road from Newton Central School and after an adult shop opened in the Mt Albert shopping centre.

Georgina Beyer to open Hero Parade

Georgina Beyer, Carterton's Mayor, will open this years HERO parade on February 17. Te Atatu MP Chris Carter and local MP Sandra Lee will also join the parade.

Auckland Mayor Les Mills will not get an invitation to this years HERO parade as he has declined for the past five years, HERO Project director Scott Johnson said.

Approximately 60,000 people are expected to watch the parade. This year there will be spot prizes for the most funky or spunky dressed spectators.

Cook Islander drummers will play at Western Park before the Parade.

Gay TV and Radio

Television

Express Report every Monday 10pm on ATV, Capital City, Coast to Coast, Southern and CTV.

Four Weddings and A Funeral Sky TV Saturday February 10 8pm and Friday 16th 8:30pm - Well just scraps in with a gay couple in the film.

Radio

Regular gay and lesbian shows

Auckland - G & T Show, 810AM Access Radio, Thursday 7 to 8am
Auckland - This Way Out, 810AM Access Radio, Saturday 11:40am
Auckland - In The Pink, 95BFM Student Radio, Sunday 8 to 9pm
Auckland - Girls Own Show, 95BFM Student Radio, Sunday 7 to 8pm
Hamilton - Different Strokes, 89FM Student Radio, Sunday 8pm
Wellington - Gay BC, 783AM Access Radio, Gay BC, Saturdays 11:15 - 12:15
Wellington - Reading Lesbian Writers, 783AM Access Radio,Saturdays, 1.15 - 1.30pm
Wellington - Lesbian Radio Programme, 783AM Access Radio,Sundays, 10 - 11 am
Wellington - Boy Trouble, 89FM Student Radio, Sunday 6-7pm
Nelson/Motueka - Gaytime FM, 90.4FM Fresh FM, Sunday 11am
Christchurch - Loud & Queer, RDU 98.3FM Student Radio,Wednesday 6pm to 7pm
Christchurch - Outwaves, 96.9FM Plains FM, Every 2nd Monday 8pm
Dunedin -Lesbian Show, 91FM Radio One, Tuesday 6pm
Dunedin -Tea with the Boys, 91FM Radio One, Thursday 6pm

Events - Reviews

DEUTZ Poi On Heels Gala Fundraiser - Wednesday 31 January

Well what a night it was. Not only did it raise over $6,000 for 10 Auckland charities but it was also an extremely enjoyable 2 hour show finishing just before 10pm.

No lowpoints in the show and many highlights.

Like Mika and Jan Hellreigel doing a wonderful Babara Streisand (Mika) and Neil Diamond (Jan) impression when singing "You don't bring me flowers". If the two songs they performed are only 50% as good as the rest of the show they are not too be missed. (Having attended the show on Saturday night it was a very interesting mix with much gender bending)

Manic Opera did their wonderful Ponsonby People song and of course there very appropriate condom song.

Wellington group When The Cats Been Spayed did there thing in opening the show and getting the large crowd very enthused for the rest of the show.

And then there were those who names escape me but their performances don't. It was a real showcase of NZ talent.

Events - Upcoming

Wellington Lesbian Mountain Bike Riders - 18 February 1996
Wellington Over 35's Dance for Lesbians - 17 February 1996
Auckland City Council Liason committee - 14 February 1996
Wellington Lesbian Overland and Cafe Club - 11 February 1996
Auckland Community Church - 11 February 1996.
Auckland Gay Tramping Group - February 10 and 11 1996
Wellington Ascent Mass - 7 February 1996
Auckland Community Church - 4 February 1996.
Wellington National Library Exhibition - 31 January 1996 - 17 February 1996
DEVOTION Festival - 31 January to 10 February 1996.
Mapplethorpe Exhibition - Wellington December 9 1995 to February 18 1996
HERO - Auckland's Festival - 26 January to 17 February 1996
Wellington Eugenia showing till - 17 February 1996

What is happening on the Internet

Copyright, Subscription and Contribution information

Overseas media who utilise any or all of the above material please credit QNA as your source. Thank you.