This is the text extract for Approval of proposal relating to Radiological Contrast Media, browse documents here.

23 December 2009

Approval of proposal relating to Radiological Contrast Media

PHARMAC has approved two proposals for radiological contrast media; one from Bayer New Zealand Limited, and the other from GE Healthcare. PHARMAC ran an RFP for radiological contrast media. We reached provisional agreement with Bayer and GE Healthcare. These proposals were the subject of a consultation letter dated 26 November 2009, and were approved with no amendments. The consultation letter contains details of pricing under each of the agreements, and is available on our website at: http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/2009/11/26/ Price changes will occur 1 January 2010, and Omnipaque and Visipaque will have Hospital Supply Status from 1 April 2010.

Feedback Received We appreciate all the feedback we received during consultation and acknowledge the time people took to respond. All consultation responses received were considered in their entirety prior to making a decision on the proposal. Consultation responses were generally supportive of the proposal. In particular a number of responders considered it more clinically appropriate to have a range of MR contrast agents, rather than providing any particular supplier with Hospital Supply Status in this area. More information If you have any queries about these changes please contact the PHARMAC helpline on 0800 66 00 50 (9 am to 5 pm weekdays).