Decision to award Principal Supply Status for chlorhexidine with cetrimide irrigation solution ampoules and keep existing hydrogen peroxide listing
What we’re doing
We are pleased to announce a decision to secure supply of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml irrigation solution (LumaCina) supplied by Juno Pharmaceuticals New Zealand Limited (Juno).
From 1 June 2025, Juno’s brand of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml irrigation solution (LumaCina) ampoules will be listed in Part II Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule (the Hospital Medicines List).
From 1 September 2025 until 30 June 2028, Juno’s brand of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml irrigation solution (LumaCina) ampoules will have Principal Supply Status (PSS)
This decision is a result of the supply of various pharmaceuticals RFP, released 6 March 2023. This RFP occurred as a result of Pfizer’s decision to stop manufacturing from its site in Perth, Australia and discontinue supply of various medicines to New Zealand.
Any changes to the original proposal?
This decision was subject to a consultation released in October 2024. We would like to thank everybody who took the time to provide us with their feedback.
Chlorhexidine with cetrimide
We received feedback that was supportive of the proposal to secure supply of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml irrigation solution (LumaCina) supplied by Juno Pharmaceuticals New Zealand Limited (Juno).
Juno has advised of a potential supply issue for chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml irrigation solution (LumaCina) in June 2025. We are working with the supplier to manage this potential supply disruption and will communicate further information to the sector if required. Juno is not anticipating any potential further supply issues for chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%. The 100 ml presentation of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% will remain listed as ‘any brand’ in Part II of Section H.
Hydrogen peroxide
We received feedback which indicated that the proposal to secure supply and award Principal Supply Status for hydrogen peroxide 3% solution (30 ml ampoule) in hospitals would not suitably meet the needs of those who need it.
In light of this and the subsequent clinical advice we have received, we will not be progressing the proposal to award Principal Supply Status for hydrogen peroxide 3% solution in hospitals.
Hydrogen peroxide soln 3% (10 vol) is currently listed on the Hospital Medicines List as “any brand” with no restrictions and without specifying volumes. It will stay listed as "any brand", enabling Health NZ hospitals to continue to procure this including in any volume.
Based on our discussions with the current supplier of the 100 ml hydrogen peroxide presentation, we understand that the supply is stable at this time. However, we note that this is not contracted and therefore may be more susceptible to supply issues in the future.
The main themes from consultation and our responses to these are summarised below.
Who we think will be interested
- People who need chlorhexidine with cetrimide or hydrogen peroxide, their whānau and groups who support people receiving these treatments
- Health care professionals, including clinicians and hospital staff who would use chlorhexidine with cetrimide or hydrogen peroxide for people in their care
- Hospital pharmacists, Health New Zealand hospitals, and wholesalers
- Pharmaceutical suppliers
Details about our proposal
From 1 June 2025, the following medicine would be listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as follows:
|
Chemical |
Formulation |
Brand |
Pack size |
Price and Subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chlorhexidine with cetrimide |
Irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%, 30 ml ampoule |
LumaCina |
30 |
$29.70 |
LumaCina will be the Principal Supply brand of chlorhexidine with cetrimide irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%, 30 ml ampoule from 1 September 2025 until 30 June 2028.
This means LumaCina will be the main funded brand available in Health New Zealand hospitals for these products. A 5% Alternative Brand Allowance would apply.
Our response to what you told us
We’re grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation. A summary of the main themes raised in feedback and our responses to these are available below.
|
Theme |
Pharmac Comment |
|---|---|
|
Chlorhexidine with Cetrimide |
|
|
Supportive of the proposal to award PSS for chlorhexidine with cetrimide irrigation solution |
We are pleased to be in a position to award PSS to Juno Pharmaceuticals from 1 September 2025 to 30 June 2028 and secure supply of its brand of chlorhexidine with cetrimide irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%, 30 ml ampoule. |
|
Hydrogen Peroxide |
|
|
Supportive of an additional listing of hydrogen peroxide 3% solution 30 ml, provided no other volumes of the hydrogen peroxide solution are affected. Noted that the 30 ml ampoule size for hydrogen peroxide was not appropriate for Principal Supply in a hospital setting where larger volumes are required. . |
We understand that larger volumes of hydrogen peroxide are often required and hence the 30 ml volume would be impractical. In response to this feedback, we have sought more clinical advice. While the 30 ml ampoule may be suitable in certain cases for convenience and single-patient application, the advice received confirmed that the 30 ml hydrogen peroxide ampoules would not be suitable for PSS in hospital settings. As the RFP sought bids for hydrogen peroxide soln 3% (10 vol), irrespective of ampoule size, this proposal would have offered PSS only for the 30 ml ampoule, not for other strengths, meaning it would be the only funded presentation of hydrogen peroxide and it would introduce challenges. As such, Pharmac has decided not to progress to award PSS for hydrogen peroxide soln 3% (10 vol) 30 ml. We have engaged with the current supplier of the 100 ml hydrogen peroxide presentation, and it has confirmed that there is sufficient supply at this time. We note that this supply remains uncontracted, therefore, if necessary, we would consider initiating a competitive process in the future to secure the supply of this product. |
If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050.