Anastrozole: Rolin is the new funded brand

Anastrozole is used in the treatment of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

What's changing?

The funded brand of anastrozole is changing to Rolin. This means Arimidex, Aremed and DP-Anastrozole will no longer be funded.

Your new brand is available from 1 November 2017

  • From 1 November 2017 Rolin will be fully funded and available for patients
  • From 1 January 2018 a part payment may be required for Arimidex, Aremed and DP-Anastrozole
  • From 1 April 2018 only Rolin will be fully funded, Arimidex, Aremed and DP-Anastrozole will no longer be funded.
  • If you do want to keep using your current brand of anastrozole, you can ask your pharmacist to check the price and availability. PHARMAC cannot guarantee the availability or price of Arimidex, Aremed and DP-Anastrozole.

Rolin works the same as the other brands

  • Rolin will work in the same way as Arimidex, Aremed and DP-Anastrozole. Rolin has the same active ingredient as the other brands and is delivered to the body in the same way. This means it will have the same effect as the other brands.
  • It’s understandable that you might have questions about changing your medicine but you shouldn’t notice any difference when you change to Rolin. If you have any questions or concerns about changes to medicines, you should talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
  • Rolin has been thoroughly evaluated by Medsafe to ensure it’s safe and works the same as the other brands.
  • There’s more information about medicines and changes to medicines on PHARMAC’s website: The facts about generic and biosimilar medicines.

Rolin looks very similar to the other brands

Images of the 4 brands of circular, white, anastrozole tablets.

Last updated: 21 August 2018