This is the text extract for 2009-12 Clinicians Newsletter, browse documents here.

Pharmaceutical Management Agency

PHO Newsletter

Diclofenac sodium – new brands listed

December 2009

Recent Pharmaceutical Schedule Changes

Apotex’s diclofenac sodium long-acting 75 mg and 100 mg tablets (Apo-Diclo SR) are currently out of stock. PHARMAC has listed two alternate brands on the Pharmaceutical Schedule – Diclax SR and Voltaren SR to cover this shortfall. In addition, pharmacists have been authorised to endorse prescriptions close control monthly in order to maintain supplies. Please ensure prescriptions are written generically – at all times, but particularly for this product over the coming months to avoid unnecessary administrative burden on doctors and pharmacists.

Close Control rule

Changes made to the Close Control rule in 2008, allows prescribers to specify Close Control for a monitoring period when a new medication is initiated or the dose is changed to reduce wastage of medicines. For example, one prescription can be written to specify an initial 10 day supply of a new dose of simvastatin, then if the new dose is tolerated then the balance of the prescription is dispensed stat.

Femara – fully subsidised without Special Authority

Novartis New Zealand Ltd has reduced the price of Femara (letrozole) 2.5 mg tablets to match the level of the current subsidy. This means that patients no longer require Special Authority approval to access fully subsidised letrozole tablets

Permethrin – removal of prescribing note

The prescribing note saving permethrin use to be reserved for second line therapy will be removed from 1 December 2009. Clinical advice from BPAC’s Best Practice publication and the Cochrane review (2007) suggests permethrin be used as a first line therapy.

Clomipramine tablets – new listing

PHARMAC has sourced an alternative supplier of clomipramine following discontinuation of Clopress by Mylan New Zealand, and is pleased to announce that Apo-Clomipramine 10 mg and 25 mg tablets will be listed fully subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 December 2009.

Cephalexin oral liquids – new listing

The Cefalexin Sandoz brand of cephalexin monohydrate oral liquid 125 mg per 5 ml and 250 mg per 5 ml will be listed fully subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 December 2009. Previously subsidised cephalexin oral liquids were discontinued in 2006 so PHARMAC is pleased to have a first generation oral cephalosporin treatment option.

Special Authority Queries: 0800 243 666 General Questions: 0800 66 00 50 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Newsletter feedback: email rachel.mackay@pharmac.govt.nz

“Make life easier, always prescribe generically”