This is the text extract for 2010-06 Clinicians Newsletter, browse documents here.

Pharmaceutical Management Agency

PHO Newsletter

Tramadol hydrochloride – new listing

June 2010

From 1 June 2010, Arrow-Tramadol (tramadol hydrochloride) 50 mg capsules will be subsidised without restriction on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. This treatment for acute and chronic pain will help fill an identified unmet clinical need in patients who cannot take currently funded alternatives.

Losec Hp7 OAC – discontinuation

PHARMAC has received notice from AstraZeneca that it intends to discontinue its omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin combination pack (Losec Hp7 OAC) that is used for the treatment of helicobacter pylori eradication. The individual components are available fully subsidised as an alternative to this combination pack. Losec Hp7 OAC will be delisted from 1 December 2010.

Pending medicine discontinuations:

• Morphine sulphate (m-Eslon) 200 mg long-acting capsules will no longer be available once current stocks are exhausted. This date is expected to be August-September 2010. • Vitaco (previously Healtheries of NZ Ltd) has advised that it intends to discontinue supply of its brand of multivitamin tablets. Stocks of Healtheries Multivitamins are expected to remain available until the end of July 2010, although there has been some temporary stock issues which we understand have now been resolved. PHARMAC is working on a long-term solution to the current supply issues and will advise of the replacement brand shortly.

Alendronate sodium - Special Authority clarification

The Special Authority for subsidy for alendronate sodium with or without cholecalciferol tablets (Fosamax and Fosamax Plus) will be amended from 1 June 2010. The amendment is to the Note only and not the access criteria. The change clarifies that it is the BMD measurements (which are used to derive T-Scores) that must be made using DXA.

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

Please note this is not a complete reference to all changes occurring from 1 March 2010, for the full reference, please consult your Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

“Make life easier, always prescribe generically”