This is the text extract for My Medicine Looks Different, browse documents here.

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“Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor about the changes and always read the label on your medicine and follow the instructions”

For more information, talk to your pharmacist or doctor, or call PHARMAC on 0800 66 00 50 (toll free)

“My medicine looks different”

PHARMAC’s objective is:

“To secure for eligible people in need of pharmaceuticals, the best health outcomes that are reasonably achievable from pharmaceutical treatment and from within the amount of funding provided”

Pharmaceutical Management Agency

Cigna House, 40 Mercer Street, PO Box 10-254, Wellington 6011, New Zealand Phone 64-4-460-4990 Fax 64-4-460-4995 www.pharmac.govt.nz

If your medicine has changed, this leaflet will help explain

why

(MedchangeDL - Jun08)

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Why has my medicine changed?

Your actual medicine has not changed. It is the same medicine but with a different brand name and sometimes a different appearance or packaging.

Can I have my old brand of medicine?

The brand of your old medicine may not be available anymore. If it is, you can have it but it is likely to cost you more. Ask your pharmacist about this.

Why is it a different brand name?

Medicines are often sold under more than one brand name. Different manufacturers have different brand names, or sometimes even the same manufacturer produces the same medicine but with different brand names. On the back panel of this leaflet are examples of the same medicine with different brand names.

Who makes the decisions about which medicines should be funded?

PHARMAC is the government agency that makes the decisions about which medicines and brands of medicines are funded and negotiates prices with pharmaceutical companies. PHARMAC promotes the responsible use of medicines. PHARMAC also provides information to health professionals and patients about getting the best value for medicines.

If you feel that the new brand of medicine is not working for you, or if you have any more questions or need more information, talk to your pharmacist or doctor, or call PHARMAC on our toll-free number 0800 66 00 50.

Some common questions about medicine brand changes

To treat stomach problems such as ulcers

To relieve pain and reduce inflammation

Will this brand work in the same way?

You should get the same effect even though this brand may have a different packaging, or be a different colour, shape, size or taste. If you experience any problems talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Is PHARMAC giving me a cheap alternative that may be of poor quality? Where can I get more information about these changes?

No, it isn’t. All medicines approved for distribution in New Zealand meet international standards for quality, effectiveness and safety.

Is this new brand of medicine safe and effective?

Yes, your new brand of medicine has been tested, checked and approved by experts at Medsafe (a unit of the Ministry of Health).

Why does PHARMAC make these changes?

Because PHARMAC wants to get the best value it can for the pharmaceutical part of the health budget in New Zealand. Manufacturers compete with each other to give PHARMAC the best price for a medicine. This means PHARMAC can make valuable savings to buy other medicines.

Different brand names

If you are concerned in any way about your medicine, please ask your pharmacist to check it.

Why has my doctor or pharmacist changed my medicine?

Your medicine has been changed to avoid extra cost to you. It means you won’t have to pay extra for a brand of medicine that is no longer fully funded. Sometimes your medicine will be changed because the manufacturer of the brand your doctor prescribed has withdrawn it from New Zealand.

Name of medicine

Diclofenac Sodium

PHARMAC uses the savings to buy more medicines, and new medicines which can be expensive, for example cancer drugs and medicines for mental health.

Here are some examples:

So what does PHARMAC do with the money it saves?

Diclax Flameril Apo-Diclo Voltaren

How can I be sure that I have not been given the wrong medicine?

Citalopram

Ranitidine

Arrow-Citalopram Cipramil Celapram

Apo-Ranitidine Zanidin Zantac

To treat effects of depression

What medicine is used for