PHARMAC is pleased to announce a decision to list tobramycin powder and widen access to clarithromycin infusion. In summary, the effect of the decision is that:

• tobramycin powder will be listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule for use in orthopaedic bone cement from 1 June 2015; and
• clarithromycin infusion will be available in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as a first-line macrolide for community-acquired pneumonia from 1 June 2015.

This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 10 October 2014.

This decision will allow access to tobramycin powder for addition to orthopaedic bone cement and follows requests from DHB clinicians that access be granted in this situation. In relation to clarithromycin, this decision is expected to reduce administration costs for DHB hospitals due to the reduced number of infusions required compared to IV erythromycin.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/2015-05-11-notification-decision-to-list-tobramycin-powder-and-widen-access-to-clarithromycin/