This is the text extract for 2011-01 Clinicians Newsletter , browse documents here.

Pharmaceutical Management Agency

GP Newsletter

2010 Annual Review

Jan 2011

Best wishes for a safe and relaxing Christmas and New Year from the team at PHARMAC

PHARMAC has published its 2010 Annual Review, our regular publication highlighting trends and issues in pharmaceutical use in New Zealand and internationally. This year’s Annual Review features articles by external authors highlighting issues of Māori health, the role of community pharmacists, and drug development internationally. The Review outlines how medicines have been used in New Zealand and illustrates long-term trends. In a feature article we also discuss our expanded role in managing hospital medicines. Major points highlighted in the Annual Review include: • The largest number of major investments in medicines since 1999 (45 in total); • New investment decisions including medicines for arthritis and auto-immune conditions, pulmonary arterial hypertension, HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, chronic myeloid leukaemia and various types of cancer; • Managing community pharmaceutical spending on target: $693.8 million against a budget of $694 million; • Completion of the Space to Breathe – He Tapu te Ha pilot project in Taranaki; • Continued growth & promotion of the One Heart Many Lives cardiovascular campaign nationally; • Review and update of the Consumer Advisory Committee’s Terms of Reference; and • Completing a project examining the optimal way for consumers to participate in PHARMAC’s activities. You can download the PHARMAC 2010 Annual Review online at http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/patients/ AccountabilityDocuments/AnnualReview

Nicotine – change to dispensing rules

All formulations, strengths and pack sizes of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) will be subject to the following rule from 1 January 2011: “Nicotine will not be funded Close Control in amounts less than 4 weeks of treatment”. All other prescribing and dispensing restrictions for NRT will be removed from 1 January 2011 and monthly dispensing will apply thereafter. NRT will no longer be subsidised as an Original Pack (OP).

A new flavour of Habitrol nicotine gum, “classic”, will be subsidised from 1 January 2011.

The listing of Habitrol larger pack sizes of lozenge 1 mg and 2 mg (216 pack) and patch 7 mg, 14 mg and 21 mg (28 pack) has been delayed due to stock unavailability. We will notify the market of the listing date when stock becomes available. This is expected to be a few months away.

Dapsone tablets and bromocriptine capsules now registered

Dapsone tablets 25 mg and 100 mg, supplied by Link Pharmaceuticals, and Apo-Bromocriptine capsules 5 mg, supplied by Apotex, have been granted Ministerial Approval for distribution within New Zealand. These products have been supplied in accordance with Section 29 of the Medicine Act 1981 since July 2010 (Dapsone) and August 2009 (Apo-Bromocriptine); however, this restriction no longer applies.

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 Inpharmation newsletter: www.pharmac.govt.nz/patients/ourviews/inpharmation Newsletter feedback: email rachel.mackay@pharmac.govt.nz

Please note this is not a complete reference to all changes occurring from 1 January 2011, for the full reference, please consult your Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

“Make life easier, always prescribe generically”