PHARMAC is pleased to announce the approval of an agreement with Novartis New Zealand Ltd involving the listing of nine new products and amendments to the listing of seven other products, details of which can be found below. This proposal was the subject of a consultation letter dated 7 August 2014.

A separate notification about the related proposal for multiple sclerosis treatments, which includes the funding of fingolimod hydrochloride (a pharmaceutical included in this agreement with Novartis) has also been issued.

In summary, the effect of the decision is that from 1 November 2014 the following products will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule:

• Deferasirox dispersible tablets (Exjade) for patients with chronic iron overload due to congenital inherited anaemias
• Everolimus tablets (Afinitor) for patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs - a form of brain tumour)
• Fingolimod capsules (Gilenya) for patients with multiple sclerosis
• Glycopyrronium powder for inhalation (Seebri Breezhaler) for patients with the respiratory condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Indacaterol powder for inhalation (Onbrez Breezhaler) for patients with COPD
• Nilotinib hydochloride monohydrate capsules (Tasigna) for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia
• Omalizumab injections (Xolair) for patients with severe persistent allergic asthma
• Rivastigmine transdermal patches (Exelon) as a second-line treatment for patients with dementia
• Tobramycin solution for inhalation (Tobi) for patients with cystic fibrosis

There will be changes to the terms of listings for the following currently funded products:

• Zoledronic acid monohydrate (Zometa)
• Zoledronic acid monohydrate (Aclasta)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol and Tegretol CR)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Imatinib mesylate (Glivec)
• Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin LA)
• Diclofenac sodium dispersible tablets (Voltaren D)

The approved agreement includes the possible future listing of indacaterol with glycopyrronium (Ultibro Breezhaler) for patients with COPD – subject to Medsafe approval, a recommendation to fund from PHARMAC’s clinical advisors, consultation feedback and a further PHARMAC Board decision.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/notification-2014-10-10-multiproduct/