The general issue of unfunded treatments being provided in public hospitals should be considered nationally through a considered rigorous process, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says.
Executive director Ian Powell said he had written to Minister of Health Tony Ryall recommending it be considered by the National Health Committee.
He clarified the association had not taken issue with the proposal for a pilot scheme to offer some Dunedin Hospital cancer patients the option of paying for "top-up" unsubsidised drugs while in the public system.
"We don't have a particular view on the pilot, but in principle are supportive of clinically led pilots that explore innovation," he said.
The association's concerns had been around the Otago and Southland district health boards' poorly written consultation paper which had not directly referred to the pilot, he said.
This week, the Otago board decided that, if supported by the Southland board, it would seek Mr Ryall's approval for a year-long pilot under which some cancer patients could be offered the chance to pay for unfunded drug treatment in Dunedin Hospital.
The move was suggested to the board last year by Dunedin oncologist Dr Chris Jackson, who anticipated if the proposal went ahead it could affect a handful of patients a year.
Under existing conditions, such patients have to travel to private clinics outside the provinces for these treatments.
In most instances, it is expected the proposal will involve adding another medication to drugs patients are already receiving.
The Southland board has yet to consider the question.
