This is the text extract for 2010-07 Clinicians Newsletter, browse documents here.

---

Pharmaceutical Management Agency

GP Newsletter

PHARMAC Schedule Changes July 2010 Topical acne treatment subsidised

July 2010

ReTrieve (tretinoin) cream (0.5 mg per g), 50 g will be fully subsidised from 1 July 2010. ReTrieve will have a maximum subsidised quantity restriction of 50 g per prescription.

Potassium iodate tablets – new listing

The iodine supplement, NeuroKare (potassium iodate 268 µg (150 µg elemental)) tablets, will be fully subsidised without any restrictions from 1 July 2010.

Danthron with poloxamer – new listing

Danthron with poloxamer oral liquid 25 mg, with poloxamer 200 mg per 5 ml (Pinorax), will be fully subsidised from 1 July 2010. The following prescribing note has been applied to the listing – “Only for the prevention or treatment of constipation in the terminally ill”. Danthron with poloxamer oral liq 75 mg with poloxamer 1 g per 5 ml will be listed in the near future.

Domperidone – full funding and removal of Special Authority

From 1 July 2010 the Special Authority for manufacturer’s price that applies to domperidone 10 mg tablets (Motilium) will be removed and domperidone 10 mg tablets will become fully funded for all patients.

Tolcapone – prescriber restriction removed

The prescriber restriction applying to the subsidy for tolcapone 100 mg tablets (Tasmar) will be removed from 1 July 2010.

Diaphragms – rationalisation of products

Janssen-Cilag has notified that the Ortho Coil brand of diaphragms is being discontinued internationally. The Ortho All Flex diaphragm range will remain on the market but will be rationalised to four sizes with the 65, 70, 75 and 80 mm sizes only remaining available.

Clomiphene citrate tablets

The prescribing restrictions of “Retail pharmacy-Specialist” and “Only on a prescription of a female patient” will be removed from 1 July 2010.

Influenza vaccine

The Ministry of Health recently extended the influenza vaccination season. The vaccine will continue to be subsidised for eligible people until supplies are exhausted. The access criteria for influenza vaccine remain unchanged.

---

Transdermal oestrogen hormone replacement therapy – Special Authority amendment

Access will be widened from 1 July to allow subsidy for patients precribed somatropin via a valid Special Authority approval.

Octreotide – widened access

The Special Authority criteria for octreotide will be widened from 1 July 2010. In summary the Special Authority criteria for octreotide (somatostatin analogue) injection 50 µg per ml, 1 ml, 100 µg per ml, 1 ml and 500 µg per ml, 1 ml; LAR 10 mg prefilled syringe, LAR 20 mg prefilled syringe and LAR 30 mg prefilled syringe will be widened to include: • The treatment of nausea and vomiting in patients with malignant bowel obstruction where treatment with antiemetics, rehydration, antimuscarinic agents, corticosteroids and analgesics have failed; and • The treatment of acromegaly in patients unwilling or unable to undergo surgery and/or radiotherapy or for an interim period until radiotherapy becomes fully effective. Octreotide is not currently registered by Medsafe for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in patients with malignant bowel obstruction. As such, clinicians will need to comply with Section 25 of the Medicines Act if prescribing octreotide for this use.

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”