PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to remove or amend the funding restrictions for a number of pharmaceuticals from 1 October 2014. The proposed changes are summarised below. Details of the proposed changes and background information can be found on the following pages.

The Special Authority and/or hospital medicines list (HML) restrictions for the following products would be removed from 1 October 2014 (unless another date is specified below):

• Bee and wasp venom allergy treatments
• Bicalutamide
• Imiquimod (from 1 February 2015)
• Mycophenolate mofetil
• Nicorandil
• Perhexiline maleate

The funding rules for the following products would be amended to widen funded access from 1 October 2014:

• Acitretin: some of the prescriber-related criteria would be amended or removed from the Special Authority.
• Adalimumab, etanercept and tocilizumab: access would be widened to include adult-onset Still’s disease.
• Benzydamine hydrochloride: full subsidy would be available via prescription endorsement in the community for patients with oral mucositis resulting from cancer treatment.
• Deferiprone: access would be widened to include acquired red cell aplasia.
• Gabapentin (Arrow-Gabapentin and Nupentin brands only): access would be widened to include uraemic pruritus and the requirement to trial a tricyclic antidepressant prior to gabapentin would be removed.
• Insulin pump and insulin pump consumables: access would be widened to include cystic fibrosis-related diabetes;
• Isotretinoin: some of the prescriber-related criteria would be amended or removed from the Special Authority, and the requirement for a trial of other available treatments prior to accessing isotretinoin would be removed.
• Midodrine: the requirement for a trial of fludrocortisone and other non-pharmacological treatments prior to accessing midodrine would be removed.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/consultation-2014-07-25-amend-or-remove-funding-restrictions-various-pharmaceuticals/