Page 3788 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 8 November 1994
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MR STEVENSON: I have a brief supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Mr Wood mentioned that he would expect that a review of that area would occur. Would the Minister make sure that it does occur?
MR WOOD: Yes; because it is their responsibility, I will ask the Floriade board whether they will review what happened, to see whether we can avoid that problem.
Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper, Madam Speaker.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
MRS CARNELL (Leader of the Opposition): I seek leave to make a personal explanation under standing order 46.
MADAM SPEAKER: Please proceed.
MRS CARNELL: In question time Mr Berry suggested that there may have been a conflict of interest - - -
Mr Berry: We are nervous, are we not?
MRS CARNELL: No; I am just very happy. He suggested a conflict of interest with regard to my pharmacy's dispensing of methadone. It is important for the Assembly to understand the actual situation. Red Hill pharmacy is currently approved to dispense methadone. We currently have one client. It is important for the Assembly to understand how that happened. This client is one of the more difficult cases at the methadone clinic. The person has fallen on somewhat difficult times, and the methadone clinic actually approached the Red Hill pharmacy and asked us to dispense methadone for this client, as the client lives in the Housing Trust flats near the pharmacy.
At the time the patient's father was dying of cancer and, as a result, was on a number of addictive drugs, including morphine. The fact that the client of the methadone clinic was actually living in the same flat as the father created huge problems. As we were monitoring the father's cancer therapy and the palliative care generally at that stage, it was perceived that, in the patient's best interest and the father's best interest, it would be a good idea if we monitored both sets of drugs. We undertook to do so. I spoke to Mr Connolly about any problems that might occur in terms of conflict of interest. I have a letter from Mr Connolly congratulating me on seeking approval.
Mr Connolly: No; you wrote seeking approval. It was treated like anybody else's.
MRS CARNELL: I was seeking approval; I am sure that it is the same letter as everyone gets.
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