This is the text extract for Inside the Pharmaceutical Schedule, browse documents here.

---

PHARMAC Information sheet

Inside the Pharmaceutical Schedule

What is the Pharmaceutical Schedule?

The Pharmaceutical Schedule is a list of all the medicines and therapeutic products that PHARMAC subsidises. There are about 2000 subsidised medicines. The Schedule lists medicines by chemical name (eg paracetamol) and brand name (eg Panadol). It lists the formulations, doses and subsidy price of the medicine. It includes any prescribing guidelines or access criteria. The Schedule explains what we do, who our Board Members and Committee Members are, our Decision Criteria and provides an upto-date list of PHARMAC staff. The Schedule is divided into eight sections (A-H). Section B is the largest as this contains a listing of all community pharmaceuticals (those that are subsidised when prescribed in a community setting). Section H is printed separately and provides information about medicines that are contracted to be supplied to public hospitals at specified prices.

Who uses it?

The Schedule is a reference book for all prescribers (doctors, specialists, midwives, nurses, etc) and other health professionals (such as pharmacists, medical libraries, professional bodies and support groups).

How often is it published?

The Schedule is published three times a year and updates are produced monthly. The Schedule always needs to be read in conjunction with the latest Update. As they are cumulative we recommend that users dispose of the previous Updates when they receive a new one. The Schedule and Updates are produced as books and a database. The database is sent monthly to the companies that provide general practice and pharmacy software, to integrate it into their systems so they contain up to date subsidy information. The on-line version of the Schedule is always updated with the latest information.

How can I access the Schedule?

Health professionals can subscribe to receive the Schedule free of charge. To subscribe, please email schedule@pharmac.govt.nz with your name, postal address and occupation. You can access the Schedule at no cost via our website: http:// www.pharmac.govt.nz/healthpros/Schedule. From this link you can download a PDF document, do an online search for information or browse the Schedule by therapeutic group.

How do I understand the listings?

Across the bottom of each page in the Schedule is a list of the important abbreviations and symbols. The diagram over leaf explains how to read an entry. We provide training to new prescribers on how to use the Schedule. If you have any questions about the Schedule or subsidised medicines, please contact us.

---

PHARMAC Information sheet

Explaining drug entries

The Pharmaceutical Schedule lists pharmaceuticals subsidised by the Government, the amount of that subsidy paid to contractors, the supplier’s price and the access conditions that may apply.

ANATOMICAL HEADING

Subsidy (Manufacturer’s Price) $

Per

Fully Brand or Subsidised Generic ✓ Manufacturer

Three months supply may be dispensed at one time if endorsed “certified exemption” by the prescriber. Practitioner’s Supply Order (or WSO for Wholesale Supply Order)

THERAPEUTIC HEADING

CHEMICAL Presentation, form and strength...........................................................10.00 100 ✓ Brand A ✓ Brand B

Brand or manufacturer’s name Sole subsidised supply product Fully subsidised product Original Pack - Subsidy is rounded up to a multiple of whole packs

Presentation - Available on a PSO........................................................15.00

50

✓ Brand C

Presentation - Retail pharmacy-specialist.............................................18.00 a) Prescriptions must be written by a paediatrician or paediatric cardiologist; or b) on the recommendation of a paediatrician or a paediatric cardiologist

250 ml OP

✓ Brand D

Safety cap reimbursed

Conditions of and restrictions on prescribing (including Special Authority where it applies)

CHEMICAL Presentation, form and strength...........................................................26.53

*

100 Brand E

Quantity the Subsidy applies to Subsidy paid on a product before mark-ups and GST Manufacturer’s Price if different from Subsidy

(35.27)

Three months or six months, as applicable, dispensed all-at-once

Sole Supply ✓ Fully Subsidised

Three months supply may be dispensed at one time if endorsed “certified exemption” by the prescriber

PHARMAC is the Government agency that decides, on behalf of District Health Boards (DHBs), which medicines get subsidised so that they are more affordable for New Zealanders and available nationally. The subsidies PHARMAC sets are funded from a fixed budget that is part of DHB funding. PHARMAC also promotes the optimal use of medicines, carries out some procurement for DHBs, and manages special access programmes for some medicines. Information Sheets on various PHARMAC topics are available from our website: www.pharmac.govt.nz/patients/infosheets If you have specific areas of interest (such as consultations, committees or vacancies), visit our website and subscribe to news feeds in the area(s) of interest to you: http://pharmac.govt.nz/feeds

Contacting Us

Call us on 0800 66 00 50 (between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday), or on 04 460 4990 (between 8am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday). Write to us at: PHARMAC, PO Box 10 254, Wellington – we respond to all letters Email us at enquiries@pharmac.govt.nz – we respond to all emails