This is the text extract for Proposal to apply a criteria tablet number restriction to ciprofloxacin 250 mg and 500 mg tablets, browse documents here.

17 December 2007

To all Pharmaceutical Suppliers, Hospital Pharmacists, Medical Groups and Interested Parties Consultation on a proposal to apply a criteria tablet number restriction to ciprofloxacin 250 mg and 500 mg tablets The proposal PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to apply a restriction to the access of ciprofloxacin 250 mg and 500 mg tablets. No changes are proposed on ciprofloxacin 750 mg tablets. The following restriction would be applied to ciprofloxacin 250 mg and 500 mg tablets: Maximum of 6 tablets per prescription; can be waived by endorsement – Retail pharmacy- Specialist. 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, Friday, 18 January 2008. By email: send to sanjoy.nand@pharmac.govt.nz By fax: send to +64 (0) 4 460 4995 By mail: send to Sanjoy Nand, 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. The PHARMAC Board, or Acting Chief Executive under delegated authority, will then make a decision on this proposal. If a decision to approve this proposal is made, it is anticipated that the proposed criteria would be applied from 1 March 2008 at the earliest. What are the details of the proposal? The background and details of the proposal are as follows: · Prior to 1 October 2005, access to all strengths of ciprofloxacin tablets was subject to a “Retail Pharmacy – Specialist” restriction. This restriction was removed from the ciprofloxacin 250 mg and 500 mg tablets from 1 October 2005, when these strengths

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were listed on Practitioner’s Supply Order (PSO) in order to be available to General Practitioners for the treatment of gonorrhoea at first contact where appropriate. · In a recent review of ciprofloxacin usage, the Anti-infective Subcommittee of PTAC noted that since the change in October 2005 there has been significant and concerning increase in usage of ciprofloxacin and in particular concerns were raised about the risk of development of antibiotic resistance. This proposal would help to ensure appropriate use of ciprofloxacin. A maximum of 6 tablets of ciprofloxacin is considered sufficient for treatment for most indicated uses. In cases where more tablets are needed this proposal permits prescription of more than 6 tablets where the prescription is prescribed or recommended by a Specialist.. Ciprofloxacin 250 mg and 500 mg tablets would remain available on PSO to a maximum of five tablets per order. The following outlines how the subsidy rules would be amended in the Pharmaceutical Schedule to permit funding as proposed (changes in bold): CIPROFLOXACIN Tab 250 mg a) Available on PSO b) Maximum of 6 tab per prescription; can be waived by endorsement – Retail pharmacy – Specialist Tab 500 mg a) Available on PSO b) Maximum of 6 tab per prescription; can be waived by endorsement – Retail pharmacy – Specialist Where can I find more information? You can seek further information by calling Sanjoy Nand on +64 (0) 4 916 7524 or by e-mail sanjoy.nand@pharmac.govt.nz. We look forward to receiving your feedback on this proposal. Yours sincerely

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Sanjoy Nand Therapeutic Group Manager

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