PHARMAC is pleased to announce the award of Sole Subsidised Supply Status in the community, and Hospital Supply Status in DHB hospitals, to Janssen-Cilag’s brand of erythropoietin, Eprex (erythropoietin alfa). In summary, the effect of the decision is that:

Eprex (erythropoietin alfa) will be the only funded brand of erythropoietin in the community and the only brand of erythropoietin able to be used in DHB hospitals, subject to a 5% Discretionary Variance (DV) limit, from 1 March 2015 to 28 February 2018; and
Access to erythropoietin will be widened to include:

• Patients with myelodysplasia
• Patients for whom blood transfusion is not a viable treatment option (hospital only)

This decision was the subject of a consultation letter dated 20 June 2014 which can be found on PHARMAC’s website.

Several changes were made following consideration of consultation feedback, including:

• Access was widened to include patients with myelodysplasia intermediate risk
• Removal of the definition of transfusion dependence
• Removal of reference to the Cockcroft-Gault equation
• The application of the wastage rule to dispensing of erythropoietin

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/notification-2014-08-05-erythropoietin/