Pharmac Update Primary Care Prescribers for the week ending 10 June 2022

Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers for the week ending 10 June 2022 Pharmac review The final report into the Pharmac review has been released, and there is high interest in the review and its outcomes.

You can read the review report and associated documents on the Pharmac Review website. The Government has also published its response to the Review Panel’s recommendations which you can find on the Ministry of Health Website.

We look forward to the journey ahead, working together to further enhance Pharmac’s effectiveness and the confidence others have in our work.

We want you! Expressions of Interest for Pharmac’s Advisory Committees Pharmac is looking for new members for our Advisory Committees. Do you work in primary care and bring a commitment to and understanding of te Tiriti in healthcare?

Pharmac’s Advisory Committees provide us with specialist knowledge and expertise within specific clinical areas, such as diabetes, cancer, and mental health. You can find more information about Advisory Committees roles and responsibilities on the Pharmac website.

If you are interested in being involved in Pharmac’s clinical advice network, send an email to advisorycommittees@pharmac.govt.nz letting us know your specific clinical area(s) of interest .

COVID-19: Information for prescribers COVID-19 antiviral Access Criteria assessment tool Use the online tool to help identify who’s eligible for funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

Access Criteria Assessment Tool

Molnupiravir and Paxlovid available in the community Molnupiravir (brand name Lagevrio) and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir) are available and funded with access criteria. Always check the criteria before prescribing as updates may have been made.

Pharmac website – COVID-19 oral antivirals: Access Criteria More information on how Paxlovid can be accessed and distributed to patients, and education material for healthcare professionals, can be found on the Ministry of Health website.

Ministry of Health website: Information and guidance on use of Paxlovid

Managing supply of other medications Please prescribe normally and encourage patients not to stockpile medicines.

Pharmac, pharmacies and suppliers are working closely to maintain medicines supply, and to minimise disruption and fairly distribute any medicines in short supply.

More information about Pharmac’s response to COVID-19 is available on the Pharmac website.

Supporting patients taking adalimumab Most patients using Humira will need to transition to the Amgevita brand of adalimumab.

Prescribers involved in the care of people taking adalimumab will need to ensure patients have the information they need about the change.

Check the Pharmac website for more information including links to education resources and support for patients.

Paracetamol oral liquid – removal of stat dispensing and upcoming brand change Stat dispensing (three-monthly all at once) of both strengths of paracetamol oral liquid has been removed since 1 June 2022.

Both strengths of the oral paracetamol liquid will be changing brand and pack size. The new brands will have the same flavours as the current brands and both strengths will be colour-free, supplied with a child-resistant cap, and come in 200 ml bottles.

Further information is available on the Pharmac website.

Atomoxetine caps 10 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg Arrotex Pharmaceuticals has advised that 60 mg, 80 mg, and 100 mg presentations are back in stock.

This product is now supplied under the APO-Atomoxetine brand with new packaging and Pharmacodes. There is no change to the actual product.

The registered 10 mg is still out of stock.

Further information is available on the Pharmac website.

Diazoxide (Proglycem) Oral liq 50 mg per ml: supply issue There is limited stock at the wholesaler level of diazoxide (Proglycem) Oral liq 50 mg per ml.

Stock from Australia has been secured and will be in the country by 3 June 2022. Pharmac has listed the alternative brand e5 Pharma Diazoxide from 1 June 2022. It will not appear in the Online Schedule until it's updated for July. e5 Pharma Diazoxide is not Medsafe approved and will need to be supplied under Section 29 of the Medicines Act. Further information is available on the Pharmac website.

Levothyroxine (Mercury Pharma) 50 mcg: short dated stock

A new shipment of levothyroxine 50 mcg has arrived in New Zealand and is due to be released to wholesalers shortly. We expect stock to be available by the week beginning 6 June 2022.

We understand that existing stock levels have a very short expiry date and should only be dispensed when the use can be guaranteed before expiry. The supplier has advised that they will credit pharmacies who have left over short dated stock.

Further information is available on the Pharmac website.

Chlorpheniramine maleate (Histafen): supply issue Chlorpheniramine maleate (Histafen) oral liquid 2mg/5ml will be briefly out of stock from mid-June to late July 2022. We have received clinical advice that any other product listed in the antihistamines therapeutic group can be used as an alternative.

Further information is available on the Pharmac website.

Laxsol (Docusate sodium with sennosides): supply issue There is a delay in re-supply of Laxsol. Supply levels are expected to return to normal by early to mid-June 2022.

Further information is available on the Pharmac website.

Methylphenidate: Supply issue for 36 mg ER (Teva) Methylphenidate ER – Teva 36 mg tabs are out of stock with an anticipated resupply date of early July 2022. Please share this information with your network of mental health specialists and paediatricians.

All other strengths of Teva extended-release are available, including the 18 mg strength. There are no supply issues with methylphenidate immediate-release, sustained-release, modified-release or the Concerta brand of extended-release (which are under a different Special Authority).

Further information is available on the Pharmac website.

Nutricia foods products: Supply issue affecting multiple products Most of the supply issues affecting Nutricia special foods products have been resolved. There will continue to be supply issues for some products throughout the first half of 2022.

Check the Pharmac website regularly for updates on products.

Keep up to date on supply issues and brand changes Pharmac regularly updates its website with information about changes in brand and any current or emerging supply issues.

You can find information about current issues on the Pharmac website.