This is the text extract for Allopurinol tab 300 mg, Symbicort Turbuhaler and Ovestin Cream; Contact: Notifications, browse documents here.

FACSIMILE

To Fax From Subject Date All New Zealand Pharmacies, IPA Pharmacy Facilitators and Wholesalers Autodial Kaye Wilson, Schedule Analyst Allopurinol tab 300 mg, Symbicort Turbuhaler, and Ovestin cream 28 June 2011 Pages 2

Dear Pharmacist and Wholesaler

Allopurinol 300 mg tablets

We have been advised by Apotex that allopurinol 300 mg tablets (Apo-Allopurinol) and the unregistered allopurinol 300 mg tablets (Apo-Allopurinol S29) in the 100-tablet packs are in short supply. Consequently, PHARMAC will be fully subsidising an alternative 500-tablet pack of allopurinol 300 mg tablets from Friday 1 July 2011 under a new pharmacode. The new pack is Canadian registered stock and is not registered for use in New Zealand; hence it will be supplied under Section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981. Details are as follows:

Pack Size 500 Price and subsidy $20.15

Chemical and presentation Allopurinol tab 300 mg

Brand Apo-Allopurinol S29

Pharmacode 2387794

Note price and subsidy shown are ex-manufacturer, excl GST

Please note:  The above product will be listed in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from Friday 1 July 2011 and will be fully subsidised from that date.  PHARMAC is not implementing pharmacist endorsed Close Control on allopurinol 300 mg tablets. Prescriptions should continue to be dispensed all-at-once (stat) unless Close Control has been initiated by the prescriber.  Sole Supply Status on the Apo-Allopurinol brand of allopurinol 300 mg tablets has NOT been suspended  Apo-Allopurinol S29 tab 300 mg, 100 tablet pack, remains subsidised until further notice.  Both software vendors have included this new listing in the July 2011 download.

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Symbicort Turbuhaler

From 1 July 2011, different subsidy levels apply to Symbicort Turbuhaler for NEW patients and CURRENT patients  CURRENT PATIENTS (= those Rx’s written for SYMBICORT Turbuhalers prior to 1 July).  NEW PATIENTS (= those Rx’s written for SYMBICORT Turbuhaler, after 1 July for the first time.) Further details are in the PHARMAC dispatch fax of 16th June 2011, and the July 2011 Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule. Toniq Users FOR CURRENT patients, Special Authority AND endorsement is required and the pricing for this combination CANNOT be represented in your Toniq software. There are no problems processing prescriptions for new patients who must also have Special Authority, but who do not qualify for full subsidy by additional endorsement. ALL SYMBICORT Turbuhaler processing for CURRENT patients will require MANUAL intervention to remove the manufacturer’s surcharge. This must be done carefully. Pharmacy risks overcharging patients OR being underpaid by Ministry of Health. Toniq have included information on how to process these prescriptions on their RSS link and included it in their “green papers” page. Please refer to these or phone Toniq on (3) 3410195. LOTS Users Please note that the Special Authority and additional subsidy endorsement restrictions process correctly in the LOTS system. a) For new scripts, the prompts for Special Authority and Certified Condition will automatically appear. Answer accordingly. b) An endorsement is also required for any remaining previously subsidised repeats where the original script was dispensed before 1 July 2011. If the script is endorsed, please tick the certified condition box on the status panel.

Close Control monthly for oestriol cream and pessaries

Oestriol (Ovestin) cream 1 mg per g with applicator, is still in short supply. Please note this is a global out of stock and we are working with suppliers to ensure stock is available in New Zealand as soon as possible. Our previous Close Control notification of 8 March 2011 remains in force. Please refer to the PHARMAC website for a copy of the Close Control notification. http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/healthpros/SchedulePrinted/SchedulePublications. Thank you for your co-operation. We appreciate this is a disruption but thank you for your assistance. If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact PHARMAC on 0800 66 00 50 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday). Yours sincerely

Kaye Wilson Schedule Analyst

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