This is the text extract for Full subsidy for tube fed patients; Contact: Notifications, browse documents here.

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FACSIMILE To Fax From Subject Date All New Zealand Pharmacies, IPA Pharmacy Facilitators and Wholesalers Autodial PHARMAC Full subsidy for ready-mix Standard Supplements for tube fed patient’s with endorsement Wednesday 30 March 2011 No of pages 2

Dear Pharmacist Patients with prescriptions for Fortisip, Ensure Plus 237 ml, Fortisip Multi Fibre or Two Cal HN ready-mix products being bolus fed through a feeding tube will be fully subsidised with endorsement from 1 April 2011. The prescription must be endorsed by the prescriber as being bolus fed through a feeding tube, or Certified Condition. Please note this is only relevant to prescriptions presented after 1 April 2011 as repeats are fully funded where the initial dispensing was before 1 April 2011. A valid Special Authority approval is still required to obtain a partial subsidy for Fortisip, Ensure Plus 237 ml, Fortisip Multi Fibre or Two Cal HN ready-mix products, with the endorsement being also required to obtain a full subsidy for patient being bolus fed through a feeding tube. Please note that the full subsidy by endorsement does not apply to Ensure Plus 200 ml tetrapak. Repeat dispensings for standard ready-mix oral feed products (Fortisip, Ensure Plus 237 ml, Fortisip Multi Fibre and Two Call HN) will continue to be fully subsidised where the initial dispensing was before 1 April 2011. Repeats for Ensure Plus 200 ml tetrapak will be subsidised to the same level as before 1 April. The following table outlines the price and subsidy with Special Authority, and endorsement effective from 1 April 2011.

Chemical Presentation Pack size Brand Subsidy (Price) with Special Authority* Alternative Subsidy with Special Authority and endorsement* $1.26 $1.33 $2.25 $1.26

oral feed 1.5 kcal/ml oral feed 2.0 kcal/ml oral feed with fibre 1.5 kcal/ml

Liquid (flavours) Liquid (vanilla) Liquid (flavours)

200 ml OP 237 ml OP 237 ml OP 200 ml OP

Fortisip Ensure Plus Two Cal HN Fortisip Multi Fibre

$0.72 ($1.26) $0.85 ($1.33) $1.14 ($2.25) $0.72 ($1.26)

* Prices and subsidies are ex manufacturer, ex GST

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Details on how to download the new file for both Toniq and LOTS are provided below:

TONIQ Toniq Users should download a new medicine file – even if they have already done this ready for the April update. Then they should update it on the 1 April, or immediately if the file is downloaded on or after 1st April. Pharmacies who cannot download a new medicine file should call Toniq (03 341 0195) for advice. 1) Download the new file immediately: Go to 7. Administration, 4. Download/check medicine files, press F4 CheckI/Net, Select Medicine Update April 11 (green), press F7 Dn/Ld When the file has downloaded, F12 Accept Details. (NB: For pharmacies running the new v4.26 Toniq programs the menu sequence will be: 7. Admin, 3. Updates and Downloads, 1 Download/check medicine files) Update the file (on 1st April or a.s.a.p after 1st April): Go to 7. Administration and 3. Update Medicines. (NB: For pharmacies running the new v4.26 Toniq programs the menu sequence will be: 7. Admin, 3. Updates and Downloads, 3. Update Medicines)

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LOTS The LOTS April Update includes the above changes so there is no need to do anything further unless you run the update by CD. Pharmacies that run their updates by CD should call HealthSoft on (09) 3007007 if they need to dispense any of these items to a bolus-fed patient.

Patient information leaflets regarding the special food changes are now available for download from our website (http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/patients/SpecialFoodsChanges). Hard copies will be available to order from www.pharmaconline.co.nz We do apologise for the late notice of this decision. If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact PHARMAC on 0800 66 00 50 (9.00am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday).

Yours sincerely Rebecca Bloor Schedule Analyst

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