Consultation on possible brand changes through the annual tender

Medicines Consultation Closes 16 Jun

We are seeking feedback on possible brand changes for medicines in Pharmac’s annual tender

Pharmac is seeking feedback on possible brand changes through our 2024/25 Annual Invitation to Tender. In particular, we’re wanting feedback on how a brand change could be managed to best support people taking these medicines.

No decisions about brand changes for these medicines have been made. We will use your feedback to help us make an informed decision about whether to change the funded brands of these medicines.

The medicines are from the following therapeutic groups, as listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule (the list of funded medicines). A brief explanation of the treatment areas for each therapeutic group is also provided in brackets:

  • Alimentary Tract and Metabolism (digestive issues and metabolic disorders)
  • Anti-Infectives (bacterial and other infections)
  • Blood and Blood Forming Organs (disorders that affect blood and its components)
  • Cardiovascular System (heart and blood vessel conditions)
  • Dermatologicals (skin conditions)
  • Genito Urinary System (urinary and reproductive system issues)
  • Hormones (conditions requiring regulation or replacement of hormones)
  • Musculoskeletal System (conditions affecting bones, muscles and joints)
  • Nervous System (includes analgesics, anaesthetics, neurological conditions, mental health, and dementia)
  • Oncology Agents (cancer)
  • Respiratory System and Allergies (lung conditions and allergies)
  • Sensory Organs (eye and ear conditions).

We’re doing this because it’s important to us that annual tender decisions are informed by the experiences of people taking the medicines, and those who support them, including clinicians and caregivers.

The annual tender is a key tool for Pharmac to release savings from funded medicines that can then be used to fund more medicines for New Zealanders.

Last year we made several decisions through annual tender process that resulted in changes to the brands of funded medicines. Pharmac acknowledges that in previous years people weren’t consulted enough about tender brand changes. We have learnt valuable lessons from this experience, and that’s why we’re adding this additional consultation step, so we can better understand what a brand change could mean for people and how we could best support a change.

Consultation closes at 4 pm Monday 16 June. You can email feedback to tenderconsult@pharmac.govt.nz or 

Pharmac staff explain the tender process and this consultation

What you can tell us

For each medicine:

  • For the proposed medicines where there is currently more than one funded brand, would there be any issues in moving to a single funded brand?
  • What would be the key issues for Pharmac to consider if there was a change in funded brand for the proposed medicines?
  • In addition to the things we usually evaluate are there any features of the medicines that we should consider, for example pack sizes?
  • Are there any groups of people where it would be clinically inappropriate, or more difficult, to undergo a brand change for a particular medicine? If yes, please provide detail.
  • What support or resources would people using these medicines need if a brand change were to occur?
  • What support or resources would healthcare professionals prescribing or dispensing these medicines need if a brand change were to occur?
  • Besides the things that we already consider when making a tender decision, are there any additional features of the proposed medicines that should be considered?

We welcome any other feedback you may wish to provide.

About the annual tender

Medicines with possible brand changes

Therapeutic group

Medicine

Current funded brand(s)

What medicine is used for

ABA

Alimentary Tract and Metabolism

Bisacodyl

Tab 5 mg

Bisacodyl Viatris

Bisacodyl is used for short term relief of constipation.

5%

Alimentary Tract and Metabolism

Docusate sodium with sennosides

Tab 50 mg with sennosides 8 mg

Laxsol

Docusate sodium with sennosides is a combination medicine used to treat constipation.

5%

Alimentary Tract and Metabolism

Ferrous Sulphate

Oral liq 30 mg (6 mg elemental) per ml

Ferodan

Ferro-Liquid

Ferrous sulphate is an iron supplement used to treat and prevent iron deficiency.

5%

Alimentary Tract and Metabolism

Ferrous Sulphate

Tab long-acting 325 mg

Ferrograd

Ferrous sulphate is an iron supplement used to treat and prevent iron deficiency.

5%

Alimentary Tract and Metabolism

Glycopyrronium bromide

Inj 0.2 mg per ml, 1 ml

Robinul

Glycopyrronium bromide is an antimuscarinic agent used to reduce secretions like saliva and mucus.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Amoxicillin

Cap 500 mg

Miro-Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Cefalexin monohydrate

Cap 250 mg

Cephalexin ABM

Cefalexin monohydrate is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Cefalexin monohydrate

Cap 500 mg

Cephalexin ABM

Cefalexin monohydrate is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Cefalexin monohydrate

Grans for oral liq 25 mg per ml

Flynn

Cefalexin monohydrate is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Cefalexin monohydrate

Grans for oral liq 50 mg per ml

Flynn

Cefalexin Sandoz

Cefalexin monohydrate is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Daptomycin

Inj 350 mg – 500 mg

Daptomycin Dr Reddy's

Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Methenamine (hexamine) Hippurate

Tab 1 mg

Hiprex

Methenamine (also known as hexamine) hippurate is a medicine used to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

5%

Anti-Infectives

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)

Grans for oral liq 125 mg per 5 ml

AFT

Phenoxymethylpenicillin, also known as penicillin V, is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.

5%

Anti-Infectives

Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)

Grans for oral liq 250 mg per 5 ml

AFT

Phenoxymethylpenicillin, also known as penicillin V, is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.

5%

Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Compound electrolytes with glucose [dextrose]

Soln with electrolytes

Hydralyte - Lemonade

Compound electrolytes with glucose (dextrose) is a solution used to treat dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and provide a source of calories.

5%

 

Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Heparin Sodium

Inj 5,000 iu per ml, 5 ml

Heparin Sodium Panpharma

Heparin sodium is an anticoagulant medicine used to prevent and treat blood clots.

5%

Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Sodium chloride

Inj 0.9%, 3 ml, prefilled syringe

BD PosiFlush

Sodium chloride prefilled syringes are used to flush intravenous lines to prevent blockages and reduce the risk of infection.

5%

Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Sodium chloride

Inj 0.9%, 5 ml, prefilled syringe

BD PosiFlush

Sodium chloride prefilled syringes are used to flush intravenous lines to prevent blockages and reduce the risk of infection.

5%

Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Sodium chloride

Inj 0.9%, 10 ml, prefilled syringe

BD PosiFlush

Sodium chloride prefilled syringes are used to flush intravenous lines to prevent blockages and reduce the risk of infection.

5%

Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Water for injection

Purified for inj, 20 ml

Fresenius Kabi

Water for injection is used to dissolve or dilute medicines which may then be injected. It can also be used for washing and cleaning purposes during minor surgical procedures, and to clean wounds.

5%

Blood and Blood Forming Organs

Water for injection

Purified for inj, 500 ml bag

Any Brand

Water for injection is used to dissolve or dilute medicines which may then be injected. It can also be used for washing and cleaning purposes during minor surgical procedures, and to clean wounds.

5%

Cardiovascular System

Enalapril

Tab 5 mg

Acetec

Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It's used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure.

5%

Cardiovascular System

Enalapril

Tab 10 mg

Acetec

Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It's used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure.

5%

Cardiovascular System

Enalapril

Tab 20 mg

Acetec

Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It's used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure.

5%

Cardiovascular System

Furosemide [Frusemide]

Inj 10 mg per ml, 2 ml

Furosemide-Baxter

Furosemide (also known as frusemide) is a medicine used to treat fluid retention and high blood pressure.

5%

Cardiovascular System

Losartan with hydrochlorothiazide

Tab 50 mg with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg

Arrow-Losartan & Hydrochlorothiazide

Losartan with hydrochlorothiazide is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

5%

Cardiovascular System

Noradrenaline

Inj 1 mg per ml, 4 ml ampoule

Noradrenaline BNM

Noradrenaline also known as norepinephrine is used in emergency situations to increase and maintain blood pressure in patients with severe low blood pressure (hypotension).

5%

Genito Urinary

Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel

Tab 20 mcg with levonorgestrel 100 mcg and 7 inert tabs

Lo-Oralcon 20 ED

Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel is a combination hormonal contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy.

5%

Genito Urinary

Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel

Tab 30 mcg with levonorgestrel 150 mcg

 Microgynon 30

Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel is a combination hormonal contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy.

5%

Genito Urinary

Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel

Tab 30 mcg with levonorgestrel 150 mcg and 7 inert tabs

Oralcon 30 ED

Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel is a combination hormonal contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy.

5%

Genito Urinary

Levonorgestrel

Tab 1.5 mg

Levonorgestrel BNM

Levonorgestrel is a hormonal medicine used for emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

5%

Hormone Preparations

Dexamethasone phosphate

Inj 4 mg per ml, 1 ml

Hameln

Dexamethasone phosphate is a type of corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation and supress the immune system.

5%

Hormone Preparations

Dexamethasone phosphate

Inj 4 mg per ml, 2 ml

Hameln

Dexamethasone phosphate is a type of corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation and supress the immune system.

5%

Hormone Preparations

Testosterone undecanoate

Inj 250 mg per ml

Reandron 1000

Testosterone undecanoate is a long-acting form of testosterone and it helps increase testosterone levels in the body.

5%

Musculoskeletal System

Celecoxib

Cap 200 mg

Celecoxib Pfizer

Celebrex

Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine used to relieve pain and inflammation.

5%

Musculoskeletal System

Colchicine

Tab 500 mcg

Colgout

Colchicine is a medicine used to treat and prevent gout attacks and other inflammatory conditions. Colchicine works by reducing inflammation and decreasing the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints.

5%

Musculoskeletal System

Rocuronium bromide

Inj 10 mg per ml, 5 ml

Hameln

Rocuronium bromide is a medicine used as a muscle relaxant during surgery and other medical procedures.

5%

Nervous System

Citalopram hydrobromide

Tab 20 mg

Celapram

Citalopram hydrobromide is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medicine which is used to treat depression.

5%

Nervous System

Droperidol

Inj 2.5 mg per ml, 1 ml

Droperidol Panpharma

Droperidol is a medicine used to prevent nausea and vomiting that may occur after surgery or diagnostic procedures.

5%

Nervous System

Fluoxetine hydrochloride

Cap 20 mg

Arrow-Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine hydrochloride is a medicine used to treat various mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

5%

Nervous System

Lidocaine [lignocaine] hydrochloride

Oral [gel] 2%

Mucosoothe

Lidocaine [lignocaine] hydrochloride is a local anaesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. It's used to numb specific areas of the body during minor surgical procedures, dental work, or other medical procedures.

5%

Nervous System

Methadone hydrochloride

Tab 5 mg

Methadone BNM

Methadone hydrochloride is a medicine used for the relief of moderate to severe pain, for example pain caused by a terminal illness such as cancer.

5%

Nervous System

Metoclopramide hydrochloride

Inj 5 mg per ml, 2 ml

Baxter

Metoclopramide hydrochloride is a medicine used to help with certain stomach and digestive issues.

5%

 

Nervous System

Paracetamol

Oral liq 120 mg per 5 ml

Paracetamol (Ethics)

Paracetamol is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, and to reduce fever.

 

 

 

5%

Nervous System

Paracetamol

Oral liq 250 mg per 5 ml

Pamol

Paracetamol is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, and to reduce fever.

5%

Nervous System

Sertraline

Tab 50 mg

Setrona

Sertraline is a medicine used to treat various mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

5%

Nervous System

Sertraline

Tab 100 mg

Setrona

Sertraline is a medicine used to treat various mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

5%

Nervous System

Varenicline

Tab 0.5 mg x 11 and 1 mg x 42

Champix

Varenicline is a medicine used to help adults stop smoking.

5%

Nervous System

Varenicline

Tab 1 mg

Champix

Varenicline is a medicine used to help adults stop smoking.

5%

Oncology Agents

Fulvestrant

Inj 50 mg per ml, 5 ml

Faslodex

Fulvestrant is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat certain types of breast cancer.

5%

Oncology Agents

Mitomycin C

Inj 5 mg vial

Accord (S29)

Mitomycin (Sagent) (S29)

Mitomycin (Fresenius Kabi) (S29) 

Mitomycin is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat cancers such as upper gastrointestinal cancers (like esophageal cancer), anal cancer, breast cancer and superficial bladder tumours

5%

Oncology Agents

Mitomycin C

Inj 20 mg vial

Teva

Omegapharm (S29)

Mitomycin is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat cancers such as upper gastrointestinal cancers (like esophageal cancer), anal cancer, breast cancer and superficial bladder tumours

5%

Respiratory System and Allergies

Pirfenidone

Tab 267 mg

Esbriet

Pirfenidone is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition in which the lungs become scarred and stiff, making it hard to breathe.

5%

Respiratory System and Allergies

Pirfenidone

Tab 801 mg

Esbriet

Pirfenidone is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition in which the lungs become scarred and stiff, making it hard to breathe.

5%

Sensory Organs

Chloramphenicol

Eye drops 0.5%

Chlorsig

Chloramphenicol eye drops are used to treat bacterial eye infections

5%

You can subscribe to get future information about our tender consultations and decisions.(external link)

To provide feedback

Send us an email: tenderconsult@pharmac.govt.nz or complete the online form by 4 pm Monday 16 June.

All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by Pharmac’s Board (or its delegate) prior to making a decision for all items included in this proposal.

Your feedback may be shared

When you give feedback on a consultation, your feedback becomes official information that Pharmac holds. Pharmac has legal responsibilities for how we manage this official information, under laws such as the Official Information Act and Privacy Act.

Pharmac may receive a request from people for official information, which could include your feedback. Legally, Pharmac must consider whether your feedback should be released.

We will consider your views when assessing whether the feedback has to be released. Tell us if there is anything about your feedback that you would prefer wasn’t released.

If your feedback is proposed for release, then Pharmac will contact you, unless there is a legal reason that we can't.

Note that Pharmac collects and holds your information in line with our Privacy Statement.