PHARMAC is pleased to announce decisions relating to the listing of contrast media agents that will take effect from 1 July 2014 under agreements with GE Healthcare, Bayer, Obex Medical and Global Medical Solutions. These agreements were the subject of a consultation letter dated 1 May 2014 which can be found at the following link:

In summary, the effect of the decision is that the following products will be listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule:

In relation to Bayer New Zealand Limited

• diatrizoate meglumine with sodium amidotrizoate (Gastrografin and Urografin)
• gadobutrol (Gadovist)
• gadoxetate disodium (Primovist)
• meglumine gadopentate (Magnevist)
• meglumine iotrexate (Biliscopin)
   

In relation to GE Healthcare Limited

• gadodiamide (Omniscan)
• iohexol (Omnipaque)
• iodixanol (Visipaque)

In relation to Global Medical Solutions (NZ) Limited

• perflutren (Definity)

In relation to Obex Medical Limited

• gadoteric acid (Dotarem)
• iodised oil (Lipiodol Ultra Fluid)
• patent blue V (Patent Blue V)

Omnipaque, Visipaque and Definity will be awarded Hospital Sole Supply status for the non-ionic monomer, non-ionic dimer and ultrasound contrast media markets respectively from 1 September 2014 until 30 June 2017.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/notification-2014-06-19-radiological-contrast-media/