PHARMAC will be seeking further advice from the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) on aspects of a proposal to fund melatonin. PHARMAC issued an initial consultation letter on 1 May 2014 regarding a proposal to fund melatonin 2 mg modified-release tablets (Circadin) for secondary insomnia in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders from 1 July 2014.

Significant clinical issues were raised during the consultation. The need to consider these issues and seek further advice from PTAC means PHARMAC will not be progressing the melatonin proposal at this time.

PTAC will consider this new information at its August 2014 meeting. As any future activities will depend on PTAC’s advice and consideration by PHARMAC, the agency is unable to commit to a firm timeline for progressing any proposal at present.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/notification-2014-06-11-melotonin/