This is the text extract for 2010-08 Clinicians Newsletter, browse documents here.

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Pharmaceutical Management Agency

GP Newsletter

Atorvastatin – delay in supply of Lorstat brand

Aug 2010

Deliveries of Mylan’s brand of atorvastatin tablets (Lorstat), which were to be subsidised from 1 August 2010 have been delayed. Lorstat was to be available without Special Authority from 1 August, however with this delay, the Special Authority for Manufacturer’s Price of atorvastatin will still apply to Lipitor in the month of August. We will notify of any developments in this area as soon as they are available.

Changes to various dispensing restrictions

Various dispensing restrictions in the Pharmaceutical Schedule will be removed from 1 August 2010. In summary these relate to Hospital pharmacy (HP1) and Hospital pharmacy (HP3) restrictions and the Wholesale Supply Order (WSO) mechanism. For detailed information, please review the ‘Changes to Restrictions’ section of the August Update. Products with an ‘Only on a WSO’ restriction will instead have an ‘Only on a PSO’ restriction from 1 August 2010 with the following quantity limits per order: Device Intra-uterine device Peak flow meter Peak flow meter Spacer device Spacer device Spacer device Mask for spacer device Presentation IUD Low range Normal range 230 ml (autoclavable) 230 ml (single patient) 800 ml Size 2 Quantity limit 40 10 10 20 20 20 20

This ordering mechanism change will result in prescribers obtaining these products directly from their pharmacy, along with their usual PSO items, and not from pharmaceutical suppliers.

Helicobacter Pylori eradication treatment

Losec HP7 OAC combination pack used for the treatment of H. Pylori eradication has recently been discontinued. Please note that the individual components for Losec HP7 OAC are fully funded. Clarithromycin 500 mg tablets (Klamycin) are subsidised with endorsement criteria for helicobacter pylori eradication and a maximum quantity of 14 tablets per prescription.

Levonorgestrel subdermal implant – new listing

Levonorgestrel subdermal implant (2 X 75 mg rods) (Jadelle) will be subsidised without restriction from 1 August 2010. Bayer NZ Limited will provide training and insertion instructions for clinicians over the next few months. Please contact Bayer on 0800 80 45 45 for details.

Insulin glargine – Special Authority removal

The Special Authority criteria for insulin glargine (Lantus and Lantus SoloStar) will be replaced with a prescriber note targeting access for certain type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients from 1 August 2010.

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Insulin glulisine – new listing

Insulin glulisine injection 100 iu per ml, 10 ml (Apidra) and 100 iu per ml, 3 ml disposable pen (Apidra SoloStar) will be listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2010 without restriction. Insulin glulisine is an additional subsidised rapid-acting insulin. Insulin glulisine is indicated for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults and children of 4 years or above who require insulin for the control of hyperglycaemia. In addition insulin glulisine 100 iu per ml, 3 ml cartridges will be listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2010.

Tamsulosin hydrochloride – new listing

The alpha-1A adrenoreceptor blocker tamsulosin hydrochloride cap 400 µg (Tamsulosin-Rex) will be subsidised under Special Authority criteria from 1 August 2010. Subsidy will be available for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and who are intolerant to non-selective alpha blockers or if these are contraindicated. Tamsulosin-Rex will be the sole subsidised brand of tamsulosin hydrochloride 400µg caps from 1 November 2010 to 30 June 2013.

Hydrocortisone with cinchocaine – new listing

Hydrocortisone with cinchocaine (Proctosedyl) will be subsidised without restriction in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2010. The product is available in both ointment and suppository form. The funding for fluocortolone caproate with fluocortolone pivalate and cinchocaine (UltraProct) remains available.

Amiloride with hydrochlorothiazide – new listing

The Moduretic brand of amiloride 5 mg with hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg tablet will be subsidised from 1 August 2010. Moduretic will be supplied under Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 as it is an unregistered medicine. This provides a replacement product for the Amizide brand.

Amiloride with frusemide – subsidy increase

The Frumil brand of amiloride 5 mg with frusemide 40 mg tablet will be fully subsidised from 1 August 2010.

Ketone Testing – endorsement removal

The endorsement requirement for ketone blood beta-ketone electrodes will be removed from 1 August 2010. A maximum of 20 test strips per prescription will apply to both ketone blood beta-ketone electrodes and sodium nitroprusside test strips from 1 August 2010.

Triclosan 1% solution – new listing

Triclosan (healthE) 1% solution will be subsidised from 1 August 2010 for patients identified with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prior to elective surgery in hospital, and for patients with recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infection. Prescriptions must be endorsed ‘certified condition’ accordingly and no more than 500 ml per prescription will be subsidised.

Danthron with poloxamer – new listing

Danthron with poloxamer oral liquid 75 mg with poloxamer 1 g per 5 ml (Pinorax Forte) will be listed and fully subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2010. The following prescribing note has been applied to the listing “Only for the prevention or treatment of constipation in the terminally ill”. This follows the listing from July 2010 of the lower strength Pinorax (danthron with poloxamer oral liquid 25 mg with poloxamer 200 mg per 5 ml).

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”