This is the text extract for Provisional agreement with Pfizer New Zealand Limited regarding the listing of varenicline for smoking cessation and various other pharmaceuticals on the Pharmaceutical Schedule, browse documents here.

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30 November 2007

To all Pharmaceutical Suppliers, Hospital Pharmacists, Medical Groups and Interested Parties Consultation on a provisional agreement with Pfizer New Zealand Limited regarding the listing of varenicline for smoking cessation and various other pharmaceuticals on the Pharmaceutical Schedule The funding proposal PHARMAC and Pfizer New Zealand Limited have entered into a provisional agreement to: · · · · list varenicline tablets (Champix) from 1 June 2008; amend the listing of quinapril (Accupril) from 1 June 2008; amend the terms of listing/list quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide (Accuretic) from 1 June 2008; and amend the terms of listing/list medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) from 1 March 2008.

PHARMAC is now seeking feedback on this proposal. How do I make a submission? We are inviting feedback from anyone interested in this proposal. You can make submissions in writing to the addresses that follow. We welcome feedback by email, fax or post. The deadline for submissions is 5pm, Monday, 14 January 2007. By email: send to stephen.woodruffe@pharmac.govt.nz By fax: send to +64 (0) 4 460 4995 By mail: send to Stephen Woodruffe, PHARMAC, PO Box 10-254, Wellington. What will happen then? All of the submissions we receive before the deadline will be taken into consideration by PHARMAC’s Board, or Acting Chief Executive under delegated authority, regarding the proposal. The PHARMAC Board, or Acting Chief Executive under delegated authority, will then make a decision on this proposal. What are the details of the proposal? Keys aspects of the proposal are as follows: Varenicline (Champix) Varenicline would be listed in Sections B and H Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2008 at the following prices/subsidies.

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Pharmaceutical Name (Brand)

Strength and Form 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets

Pack Size 11 x 0.5 mg 14 x 1 mg 28 56

Price and Subsidy $60.48 $67.74 $135.48

Varenicline (Champix)

1 mg tablet 1 mg tablet

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Varenicline would be subsidised for patients that meet the following Special Authority criteria:

Initial application from any relevant practitioner. Approvals valid for 6 months for applications meeting the following criteria: All of the following: 1 To be used as an aid in smoking cessation; and Applicant to state which of the following the patient had previously used as an aid to smoking cessation (For data collection only) 2 Any of the following: 2.1 1 course of NRT Therapy; or 2.2 2 courses of NRT Therapy; or 2.3 3 courses of NRT Therapy; or 2.4 4+ courses of NRT Therapy; or 2.5 Nortriptyline; or 2.6 None of the above. Note: No further applications accepted within 2 years Prescribing guideline - Treatment with varenicline should be given in association with advice and cessation support and/or the referral to smoking cessation services or the Quitline (toll free 0800 778 778 or www.quit.org.nz)

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Confidential rebates would apply to PHARMAC’s expenditure on varenicline.

Quinapril (Accupril) and quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide (Accuretic) Quinapril and quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide would remain listed in Section B, and be listed in Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule at the following prices/subsidies.

Pharmaceutical Name (Brand) Quinapril (Accupril) Strength and Form 5 mg tablet 10 mg tablet 20 mg tablet Pharmaceutical Name (Brand) Quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide (Accuretic) Strength and Form 10 mg with 12.5 mg tablet 20 mg with 12.5 mg tablet Pack Size 30 30 30 Pack Size 30 30 Current price and Subsidy $2.36 $3.26 $4.30 Current price and Subsidy $3.37 $4.57 Proposed price and subsidy $2.36 $3.26 $4.30 Proposed price and subsidy $3.37 $4.57

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Both products are currently subject to sole subsidised supply following awarding of a tender. This status ends, and alternative brands of these products would be able to be listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 July 2008.

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Quinapril (Accupril) and quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide (Accupril) would have subsidy and delisting protection until 30 June 2010. A confidential rebate would apply to quinapril (Accupril) and quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide (Accupril).

Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (Depo-Provera)

Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection would remain listed in Section B, and be listed in Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule at the following prices/subsidies from 1 March 2008.

Pharmaceutical Name (Brand) Depo-Provera Strength and Form 150 mg per ml, 1 ml injection Pack Size 1 Current price and Subsidy $8.05 Proposed price and subsidy $7.24

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Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (Depo-Provera) would have subsidy and delisting protection until 30 June 2011. A confidential rebate would apply to medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (DepoProvera).

Where can I find more information? You can seek further information by calling Stephen Woodruffe on (04) 916 7555 or by e-mail stephen.woodruffe@pharmac.govt.nz. We look forward to receiving your feedback on this proposal. Yours sincerely

Stephen Woodruffe Therapeutic Group Manager

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