5 September 2016 - PHARMAC has entered into provisional agreements with Novartis and Bayer and is seeking feedback on a proposal to award Hospital Supply Status from 1 November 2016 until 31 October 2019.

In summary, this proposal would result in:

• bevacizumab remaining as the first-line treatment for ophthalmic use in DHB hospitals as per the current Hospital Medicines List (HML) restriction
• ranibizumab (Lucentis) remaining as the second-line treatment for ophthalmic use in DHB hospitals, subject to amended HML restrictions
• a reduction in the price of ranibizumab to DHB hospitals
• the delisting of the 10 mg/mL (0.3 mL) vial presentation of ranibizumab from the HML
• the listing of aflibercept (Eylea) for third-line treatment for ophthalmic use in DHB hospitals subject to HML restrictions

Read PHARMAC Consultation