25 March 2014 - PHARMAC is pleased to announce the approval of a sole supply agreement with Novartis Consumer for Habitrol, the currently funded brand of nicotine lozenges, patches and gum (nicotine replacement therapy; NRT). This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 13 February 2014, available online at http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/consultation-2014-02-13-nrt-sole-supply/.

In summary, the effect of the decision is that:

• All currently listed presentations of the Habitrol brand of nicotine lozenges, patches and gum will remain listed and will be the only subsidised brand of nicotine lozenges, patches and gum until 30 June 2017.
• The prices and subsidies for all presentations of the Habitrol brand of nicotine lozenges, patches and gum that are currently listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule will reduce from 1 July 2014 and again from 1 July 2015.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/notification-2014-03-25-nrt-sole-supply/