National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) Sector Update – October

We have negotiated an annual maintenance arrangement for $650 per unit or a discounted monthly fee of $45 per unit depending on the option selected. This fee covers replacement of all Original Equipment Manufacturer consumables annually to ensure the 5-year warranty. It will be the responsibility of the Provider coordinate with the supplier (Big Blue) for provision of maintenance and payment of associated costs.

Please could all requests be sent to covid.healthsupplychain@health.govt.nz by 19th October 2022 to confirm the quantity of AFUs requested.

After this date, the Ministry will proceed with alternative deployment options for unallocated stock.

National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) Sector Update –October

Accuretic stock situation: Supply withdrawn on 31st October 2022

• Read the October Newsletter • RE: HPV testing. The Parliamentary Review Committee has completed their report which will be tabled in Parliament soon and will be publicly available. We will share the report as soon as it is available. • July 2023 remains the target date for the move to HPV Primary

Screening. • PHARMAC would like to update you on the Accuretic (quinapril with hydrochlorothiazide) stock situation, This follows recent advice from Medsafe and Pharmac’s Accuretic notification outlining the need for health care prescribers to transition their patients from Accuretic to an alternate anti-hypertensive medication.

• PHARMAC have now been informed by the supplier of

Accuretic (Pfizer) that, following further discussions with

Medsafe, they(Pfizer) intend to withdraw any remaining stock from distributers on the 31st of October 2022. Prior to this date Accuretic will still be able to be prescribed, although its dispensing will depend on the levels of stock remaining. Pfizer has advised that pharmacies and wholesalers will be able to return any unused stock of

Accuretic at the end of the transition period. Pharmacies should discuss the returns process with their wholesaler.

• PHARMAC would advise prescribers to transition any of their patients who are still on Accuretic to an alternate medication with a degree of urgency. The ability of prescribers to claim for first consultation costs in relation to transitioning patients from Accuretic to an alternative will remain in place to assist this process until it is delisted.