This is the text extract for 2010-09 Clinicians Newsletter, browse documents here.

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Pharmaceutical Management Agency

GP Newsletter

Sept 2010

Wholesale Supply Orders – Please note, these no longer exist. For all spacer (and other products previously available via WSO) orders, please order via a PSO through your local pharmacy. Please note these changes were made from 1 August 2010. WSO’s sent to Airflow will no longer be filled.

Atorvastatin – subsidy changes

From 1 September 2010 Lipitor will be fully subsidised without Special Authority Mylan New Zealand’s brand of atorvastatin (Lorstat) was to be the sole subsidised supply brand of atorvastatin from 1 December 2010 for community supply. Mylan was not able to release stock to the market on 26 July 2010 as initially notified. PHARMAC has agreed with Mylan that Lorstat will no longer have Sole Subsidised Supply Status and will be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2010. Lipitor will remain available until at least 31 August 2012.

Clopidogrel – removal of Special Authority criteria

From 1 September 2010, clopidogrel 75 mg tablets will be fully subsidised without Special Authority.

Ondansetron and tropisetron – restriction change

The ‘Retail pharmacy-Specialist’ restrictions will be removed from the listings for ondansetron tablets (Zofran) and dispersible tablets (Zofran Zydis), and tropisetron capsules (Navoban), from 1 September 2010. The other dispensing rules applying to both ondansetron and tropisetron will remain and the Special Authority for waiver of the dispensing rules for ondansetron will also remain. PHARMAC has also made the decision to remove the dispensing rules from ondansetron from 1 May 2011.

Anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics – removal of month restriction

The ‘Month Restriction’ that currently applies to most anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics will be removed from 1 September 2010. This will result in repeat dispensings for these medicines being subsidised, where currently they are not. However, monthly dispensing will still apply.

Zoledronic acid – new listing

Zoledronic acid (Aclasta) solution for infusion 5 mg in 100 ml for Paget’s disease and osteoporosis (including glucocorticosteroid-induced osteoporosis) will be fully subsidised from 1 September 2010. Subsidy will be subject to Special Authority criteria. See page 21 of the September 2010 Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule for further details.

Tenoxicam - injection subsidised

The AFT brand of tenoxicam 20 mg injection will be fully subsidised from 1 September 2010, without restriction. This product replaces a previously subsidised brand that was discontinued by its supplier in 2008.

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Travoprost – removal of endorsement period 30 September 2010

From 1 April 2010 the subsidy for travoprost (Travatan) eye drops 0.004% was reduced to match that of latanoprost eye drops 50 μg per ml, 2.5 ml (Hysite). For patients taking travoprost eye drops prior to 1 April 2010 a full subsidy is available under endorsement criteria until 30 September 2010. Patients only have one month remaining on this endorsement period. This six month transition period was provided to allow patients sufficient time to return to their ophthalmologist for a review of their medication if they wished to switch to a fully subsidised alternative.

Anaesthetics – subsidy changes

There will be a number of changes to the listings of local anaesthetics from 1 September 2010. See page 9 of the September 2010 Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule for further details.

In brief

• The 4 tablet limit for azithromycin (Arrow-Azithromycin) 500 mg tablets available on a Practitioner Supply Order (PSO) will be increased to 8 tablets from 1 September 2010. • The Donepezil-Rex brand of donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg and 10 mg tablets is now approved and will be subsidised from 1 November 2010.

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

Please note this is not a complete reference to all changes occurring from 1 March 2010, for the full reference, please consult your Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

“Make life easier, always prescribe generically”