CONSULTATION
Proposal to remove the funding restrictions for candesartan 9 April 2018
What we’re proposing Following assessment of bids in PHARMAC’s 2017/18 annual Invitation to Tender, PHARMAC is proposing to remove the Special Authority and hospital restrictions that currently apply to all strengths of candesartan. PHARMAC has not yet made a decision on the presentations in the tender, so the brand names, pricing and timing for these changes, if they were to be implemented, is still to be determined. PHARMAC is seeking your feedback on the proposal to remove the funding restrictions for candesartan. Consultation closes at 5 pm on Monday, 23 April 2018 and feedback can be emailed to Alexander Rodgers at alexander.rodgers@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be? The proposal would result in candesartan tablets being available fully funded without restriction. Clinicians would no longer be required to apply for a Special Authority approval for each patient starting on candesartan, reducing the administrative workload of prescribing candesartan.
Who we think will be interested Patients taking treatment for hypertension Clinicians who manage treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular issues, including general practitioners
Community and hospital pharmacies and pharmacists
Suppliers and wholesalers
Ministry of Health
About candesartan Candesartan is an angiotensin II antagonist. The other funded agent in this class is losartan which is already funded without any Special Authority restrictions. Candesartan is mainly used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart failure. It is currently funded only for patients who have A1128827
PHARMAC CONSULTATION
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