This is the text extract for 2010-12 Clinicians Newsletter , browse documents here.

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Pharmaceutical Management Agency

GP Newsletter

New CFC-free Salbutamol with Ipratropium Bromide Aerosol Inhaler

Dec 2010

A new CFC-free salbutamol with ipratropium bromide aerosol inhaler will be available early in 2011 as a replacement for Combivent. Duolin HFA stock will be fully subsidised from February 2011. Chemical Salbutamol with ipratropium bromide Presentation and strength Aerosol inhaler, 100 µg with ipratropium bromide, 20 µg per dose CFC-free Pack size 200 dose OP Proposed price and subsidy $12.19

Combivent will continue to be listed at the current price and subsidy until stock is depleted, which is expected to be early in the new year.

Rivaroxaban – new listing

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) 10 mg tablets will be fully subsidised from 1 December 2010. Rivaroxaban is an oral anticoagulant and will be subsidised subject to Special Authority criteria for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism following major orthopaedic surgery. Rivaroxaban will be subsidised for up to 5 weeks therapy for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism following a total hip replacement and up to 2 weeks therapy for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism following a total knee replacement.

Moxifloxacin – new listing

Moxifloxacin 400 mg tablets (Avelox) will be fully subsidised from 1 December 2010 for use in treatment-resistant mycobacterial infections including tuberculosis. Special Authority criteria apply.

Multiple sclerosis treatments – widening of access

The Stopping Criteria that apply to prescribing and dispensing of funded multiple sclerosis treatments (glatiramer acetate, interferon beta-1-alpha and interferon beta-1-beta) have been amended to include options for patients meeting certain criteria to stay on treatment for longer or to switch to a second class of treatment following an increase in relapse rate from the first class of treatment.

Temozolamide – widening of access

From 1 December 2010 funded access to temozolomide capsules (5 mg, 20 mg, 100 mg and 250 mg) will be widened to include patients with newly diagnosed anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III astrocytoma). Temozolomide is not approved by Medsafe for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed anaplastic astrocytoma. In this setting clinicians are required to prescribe temozolomide in accordance with Section 25 of the Medicines Act.

New fibrate lipid modifying agent subsidised

Lipazil (gemfibrozil) 600 mg tablets will be fully subsidised without restriction from 1 December 2010. Gemfibrozil is a fibrate lipid modifying agent.

Two new selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants subsidised

Two further SSRI antidepressants will be subsidised without restriction from 1 December 2010. Escitalopram (Loxalate) 10 mg and 20 mg tablets and sertraline (Arrow-Sertraline) 50 mg and 100 mg tablets.

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Varenicline (Champix) Special Authority clarification

Varenicline tablets were listed fully subsidised as a smoking cessation treatment, subject to Special Authority criteria, from 1 November 2010. One of the Special Authority criteria refers to patients not having used varenicline in the last 12 months (criterion 4). We would like to clarify that this means patients must not have used subsidised varenicline in the last 12 months. This criterion has been amended on the Special Authority form.

Tracking medicine funding applications

PHARMAC has launched a new online tool that will give people a look inside PHARMAC’s evaluation of medicine funding applications. The Application Tracker, available on the PHARMAC website (www.pharmac.govt.nz) conveniently brings together information on the medicines PHARMAC is considering for funding. The information included in the Tracker is all information that is currently published and publically available. The Tracker enables people to search for medicines by brand name, pharmaceutical name or condition, or the name of the applicant. It provides information on when the application was received, what condition the funding request was for, the status of the application (e.g. referred to committee, approved) when PHARMAC had completed sufficient assessment, when it was considered by Pharmacology Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) and the relevant PTAC sub-committee and the recommendation of PTAC or the sub-committee, when any consultation was done and the date of notification. It also provides links to documents like PTAC minutes, or consultation letters relevant to the application. At present the Tracker contains data dating back to 2008 however older information will be included in future. PHARMAC welcomes feedback on ways to further develop this tool.

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 December 2010, for the full reference, please consult your Update to the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

“Make life easier, always prescribe generically”