This is the text extract for 2010-01 Clinicians Newsletter, browse documents here.

Pharmaceutical Management Agency

PHO Newsletter

There are three new medicines listed from 1 January 2010

January 2010

Recent Pharmaceutical Schedule Changes

Solifenacin succinate (Vesicare) 5 mg and 10 mg tablets will be listed with Special Authority criteria. It provides a

subsidised alternative treatment for patients with overactive bladder syndrome intolerant to oxybutynin. option for patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Mesalazine (Asamax) 500 mg enteric coated tablets will be listed without restrictions. It provides a further treatment Silver sulphadiazine (Flamazine) 1% cream will be a replacement for Silvazine (silver sulphadiazine cream 1% with

0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate). Flamazine will be available on PSO in quantities up to 250 g (5 tubes of 50 g). A new strength of Fosamax Plus (alendronate 70 mg with cholecalciferol 5600 iu) is now available, which contains a higher amount of cholecalciferol than the previous strength, which contains 2800 iu. Pharmacies will be able to substitute prescriptions written for Fosamax Plus with the new strength. Please be aware of this cholecalciferol dose increase when considering co-prescribing Fosamax Plus with other Vitamin D formulations such as cholecalciferol tab 1.25 mg.

Colifoam – clarification of dose

There still appears to be some confusion over the number of doses per pack of Colifoam (hydrocortisone acetate rectal foam 10%. Each 21.1 g pack contains 14 applications, not one single application. We believe some prescribers are prescribing one original pack per dose as they are unsure of the number of doses per pack. When prescribing this product we ask that the number of packs requested are consistent with the dose instructions. Patients do not require one original pack per day. Please note this is not a complete reference to all changes occurring from 1 January 2010. For the full reference, please consult the January Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Special Authority Queries: 0800 243 666 General Questions: 0800 66 00 50 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Newsletter feedback: email rachel.mackay@pharmac.govt.nz

“Make life easier, always prescribe generically”