PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal for various pharmaceuticals, including a new listing and amendments to funding restrictions, to take effect from 1 August 2015 (unless otherwise specified). The proposed changes are summarised below. Details of the proposed changes and background information can be found on the following pages.

The restrictions applying to the following products would be amended in Section B and/or Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule (as applicable) from 1 August 2015 (unless otherwise specified):

• Aripiprazole: the Special Authority criteria and hospital restrictions would be amended to widen access for patients with severe irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder.
• Benzbromarone: the Special Authority criteria and hospital restrictions would be amended.
• Febuxostat: the Special Authority criteria and hospital restrictions would be amended.
• Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine: access would be widened to include vaccination of all pregnant women between gestational weeks 28 and 38 (regardless of whether or not there is an epidemic) from 1 August 2015.
• Somatropin: the Special Authority criteria and hospital restrictions for Prader-Willi syndrome would be widened.
• Tacrolimus: the Special Authority criteria and hospital restrictions would be widened to include patients with treatment-resistant nephrotic syndrome.
• Valaciclovir: the Special Authority criteria and hospital restrictions would be removed from early 2016 (date yet to be determined).

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/consultation-2015-05-20-various-pharmaceuticals/