This is the text extract for Removal of prescriber restrictions from the medicines in the Sensory Therapeutic Group, browse documents here.

27 June 2007 To whom it may concern, Medical groups, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, Pharmaceutical Suppliers and Interested Parties Consultation on the removal of prescriber restrictions from the medicines in the Sensory Therapeutic Group of the Pharmaceutical Schedule PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to remove a number of prescriber restrictions from the medicines listed in the Sensory Therapeutic Group of the Pharmaceutical Schedule (please see the attached table illustrating the proposed changes). We note that the removal of the specialist restriction would not reflect any changes to the safety profiles of these medicines and it would remain the responsibility of the prescriber to ensure these treatments are prescribed safely. It is anticipated that the proposed changes, if approved by the PHARMAC Board or Acting Chief Executive under Delegated Authority, would take effect from 1 September 2007. If you wish to make comments for the PHARMAC Board, or Acting Chief Executive, to consider when making its decision on whether to accept this proposal, please forward them to Jan Quin on (04) 916 7511 or jan.quin@pharmac.govt.nz at PHARMAC by 5.00pm Friday 13th July 2007. Yours sincerely

Jan Quin Team Leader Medical

Table showing the proposed changes to the current restrictions (deletions in strikethrough) for the sensory therapeutic group:

Pharmaceutical Aciclovir Betaxolol hydrochloride Brimonidine tartrate Brimonidine tartrate with timolol maleate Ciprofloxacin Presentation Eye ointment 3% Eye drops 0.25% and 0.5% Eye drops 0.2% Eye drops 0.2% with timolol maleate 0.5% Eye drops 0.3% Restrictions Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist, Prescribing guideline Retail pharmacy-specialist, Prescribing guideline Retail pharmacy-specialist prescription 1) Specialist must be an ophthalmologist 2) For the treatment of bacterial keratitis or severe bacterial conjunctivitis resistant to chloramphenicol Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist when used in the treatment of eye conditions Retail pharmacy-specialist

Dexamethasone Dexamethasone with framycetin and gramicidin Dexamethasone with neomycin and Polymyxin B sulphate

Diclofenac sodium Dorzolamide hydrochloride Dorzolamide hydrochloride with timolol maleate Fluorometholone Gentamicin Levobunolol Pilocarpine

Eye drops and ointment 0.1% Ear/eye drops 500 µg with framycetin sulphate 5 mg and gramicidin 50 µg per ml Eye ointment 0.1% with neomycin sulphate 0.35% and polymyxin B sulphate 6,000 units per g Eye drops 0.1% with neomycin sulphate 0.35% and polymyxin B sulphate 6,000 units per ml Eye drops 1mg per ml Eye drops 2% Eye drops 2% with timolol maleate 0.5% Eye drops 0.1% Eye drops 0.3% Eye drops 0.25% and 0.5% Eye drops, 2% single dose

Prednisolone acetate Timolol maleate Tobramycin

Eye drops 0.12% & 1% Eye drops 0.25% and 0.5%, and eye drops gel forming 0.25% and 0.5% Eye ointment and eye drops 0.3%

Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist, Prescribing guideline Retail pharmacy-specialist, Prescribing guideline Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist Special Authority – initial applications and renewals from a medical practitioner relevant practitioner Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist Retail pharmacy-specialist