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Medicine subsidy

New diabetes medicines funded: empagliflozin and dulaglutide

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been recommended... View Article

July 2021

Prescribing ACE inhibitors: time to reconsider old habits

Prescribers in New Zealand are highly reliant on cilazapril as their “go-to” ACE inhibitor, but this prescribing is out of step... View Article

March 2021

News Update: cilazapril with hydrochlorothiazide will no longer be available in New Zealand

Patients currently prescribed cilazapril + hydrochlorothiazide combination tablets will need to transition to a different combination... View Article

March 2020

Biosimilars: the future of prescribing biological medicines

Biological medicines are an important advancement in the pharmaceutical treatment of patients with inflammatory and immunological... View Article

January 2020

The funded brand of lamotrigine is changing

Changes in funded brands of antiepileptic medicines can lead to concern from patients or caregivers that the medicine they are... View Article

August 2019

Antiarrhythmic medicine brand changes: flecainide and amiodarone

Patients taking oral flecainide or amiodarone need to know that the suppliers of these medicines have changed and that they may... View Article

July 2019

Vildagliptin: a new treatment for type 2 diabetes

Vildagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor available fully subsidised from 1 October, 2018. DPP-4 inhibitors have... View Article

September 2018

Aripiprazole prescribing changes: Special Authority approval no longer required, new sole-subsidised brand

From 1 June, 2018, aripiprazole can be prescribed without Special Authority approval, making access easier for patients who require... View Article

June 2018

Prescribing gabapentin and pregabalin: upcoming subsidy changes

From 1 May, 2018, pregabalin will be available to prescribe, fully subsidised. From 1 June, 2018, prescribing restrictions will... View Article

March 2018

Methylnaltrexone is a subsidised treatment option for opioid-induced constipation in palliative care

Methylnaltrexone injections are now subsidised for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation for patients in palliative care.... View Article

January 2018

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose: now available for the treatment of iron deficiency

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is now a potential option for treating patients with iron deficiency anaemia in the community.... View Article

November 2017

4% dimethicone lotion: a subsidised treatment for head lice

From 1 May, 2017, 4% dimethicone lotion can be prescribed fully subsidised for the treatment of head lice, which adds another... View Article

May 2017

Access to HPV vaccine widened

The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine reduces the incidence of HPV-related diseases, including genital warts and cervical... View Article

November 2016

Medicine updates

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December 2014

News Updates

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October 2014

Atypical antipsychotics: one fully subsidised brand for quetiapine, risperidone and olanzapine

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July 2014

Gout update: Febuxostat now subsidised on Special Authority

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July 2014

Fluoxetine brand change: Arrow-Fluoxetine sole subsidised brand from 1 July

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June 2014

Changes to the National Immunisation Schedule: rotavirus vaccine now added

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June 2014

News Updates

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February 2014

Risedronate now fully subsidised: What is its place in practice?

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November 2013

Ticagrelor – out with the old, in with the new?

Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is a new oral antiplatelet medicine, which has been available, fully subsidised, with Special Authority,... View Article

August 2013

Upfront: Unapproved medicines and unapproved uses of medicines: keeping prescribers and patients safe

An approved medicine is a medicine which has been through a regulatory process in New Zealand and can be considered safe to prescribe,... View Article

March 2013

An update on the management of gout

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March 2013

News and updates: Update on azithromycin

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November 2012

Funding changes to diabetes management products announced

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September 2012

Schedule changes for asthma inhalers

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February 2012

News in brief: Varenicline: amendments to Special Authority funding

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August 2011

News in brief

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February 2011

Snippets: Fentanyl patches

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December 2010

Snippets: Jadelle & Sibutramine

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November 2010

Snippets: Insulin glargine & Ezetimibe

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October 2010

Access to clopidogrel now widened

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October 2010

Snippets: Iodine supplements Zoledronic acid & Atorvastatin

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August 2010

The pharmacological management of Alzheimer’s disease: The place of donepezil

From November 1, 2010 donepezil will be funded without Special Authority, on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. Donepezil and other... View Article

August 2010

Practice snippets

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March 2010

Nicotine replacement therapy prescription changes

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November 2009

Snippets: Nicotinic acid Fosamax Plus & Genetic testing

Nicotinic acid/laropiprant (Tredaptive) ▪ Fosamax Plus ▪ Direct-to-consumer genetic testing View Article

November 2009

Are whānau paying the right amount for pharmaceuticals and health services?

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July 2009

How does PHARMAC assess if a brand change is appropriate

PHARMAC carefully considers whether brand changes for specific medicines are appropriate, taking into account clinical risks.... View Article

July 2009

Accessing funded medicines in New Zealand

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June 2009

Removal of isotretinoin prescriber restrictions

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February 2009

Snippets: Anticonvulsants & Salbutamol

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June 2008

Brand change update: Ritalin SR now available by special access

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December 2007

Upfront: Changing to a Generic Drug

Visits the main points around changing to a generic drug from varoius viewpoints. View Article

June 2007

Counselling patients through a brand change

Advice on counselling patients through a brand change. View Article

March 2007