Erin Patterson has been gaining weight in prison after barely leaving her cell. Photo / Supreme Court of Victoria
The Department of Corrections told the Herald Sun Patterson’s treatment had been authorised solely on the basis of clinical need.
Corrections authorities say the medication is intended to reduce Patterson’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other health complications associated with rapid weight gain during prolonged confinement, 7News reported.
“Accessing medication in Victorian prisons is like receiving medication in a hospital setting,” according to Corrections Victoria.
“This means people in prison do not need to pay for their medications.
“We don’t place any restrictions on what medications can be prescribed to people in prison.”
Victorian Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections Brad Batten argued in June that excessive weight gain among prisoners could point to wider problems within the corrections system.
Mushroom lunch leftovers taken from Erin Patterson’s home.
“Maybe we should be using prescriptions for more exercise, or a government should be reviewing what they are feeding prisoners here in Victoria,” Batten said.
The issue was discussed on Australian breakfast programme Sunrise, with commentators questioning whether taxpayers should meet the cost of Patterson’s treatment.
“Diabetes costs the healthcare system a lot of money, but who is going to get behind someone who is convicted of three murders and an attempted murder?” commentator Cath Webber said.
“I think it’s a joke that taxpayers are picking up the bill for it.”
Commentator James Willis pointed to previous supply pressures and the difficulty some Australians had experienced accessing the medication.
“The reality is that this is a drug that has had shortages in recent times, on and off, and also a drug that some Australians have tried to get access to and can’t for various medical reasons,” Willis said.
“I don’t think it passes the pub test.”