Pharmac breached patient rights during drug brand switch

A woman who's made a complaint against Pharmac to the Health and Disability Commissioner says the drug-buying agency breached patient rights. Four people died following an epilepsy drug brand switch, with mental health patients also reporting adverse reactions. Pharmac says it could have done more to communicate, but it did have a five-month transition period to allow people time to change brands; it sent information leaflets to health professionals to distribute, and held a Facebook Live event in June. Carmel, who suffers a mood disorder, takes lamotrigine and has been caught up in the Pharmac brand switch. Her complaint, along with one other, has prompted the Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill to ask Pharmac for answers. Carmel told investigative reporter Guyon Espiner that there was minimal communication.