As Velcade is currently the only funded brand of bortezomib, there would be no funded brand change resulting from this proposal.

Following a request for proposals for the supply of bortezomib, issued on 16 March 2016, PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to:

• award Hospital Supply Status (the only available brand in DHB hospitals) to Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd’s brand of bortezomib (Velcade) inj 3.5 mg vial from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019 subject to a 1% discretionary variance (DV) limit; and
• delist the inj 1 mg vial presentation of bortezomib from 1 September 2016 in Part II of Section H, and from 1 December 2016 in Section B, of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news/consultation-2016-05-20-bortezomib-in-hospitals/