9 August 2016 - PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to award Sole Supply Status in the community for leflunomide to Apotex for its Apo-Leflunomide brand of 10 mg and 20 mg tablets from 1 September 2017 until 30 June 2020.

Leflunomide is listed in the antirheumatoid agents sub-group of the Musculoskeletal System Therapeutic Group in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Following a request for tender for the supply of leflunomide issued on 3 June 2016, PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to:

• award Sole Supply Status in the community for leflunomide to Apotex NZ Limited (Apotex) for its Apo-Leflunomide brand of 10 mg and 20 mg tablets from 1 September 2017 until 30 June 2020.
• award Hospital Supply Status for leflunomide to Apotex for its Apo-Leflunomide brand of 10 mg and 20 mg tablets from 1 June 2017 until 30 June 2020, with a 1% DV limit.

In summary, this proposal would result in:

• the 10 mg and 20 mg presentations of Apo-Leflunomide brand being listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 April 2017 without any restrictions.
• the Arava brand of leflunomide being delisted from Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2017 and from Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2017.
• a reduction in price across both strengths of leflunomide.

Read PHARMAC press release