Listing of various contrast media

Medicines Decision

PHARMAC is pleased to announce decisions relating to various contrast media that will take effect from 1 October 2014 through an agreement with Regional Health Limited. This agreement was the subject of aconsultation letter dated 13 August 2014.

The proposals were approved essentially as consulted on, with the exception of the proposed listing of EZ HD Barium, Liquid Polibar and Readi-Cat which have been discontinued by Regional Health Ltd and will not be listed as proposed.

A summary of the decisions is provided below; for further details please refer to the consultation letter.

  • The following brands of barium sulphate radiological contrast media products will be listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 October 2014:
    • E-Z-Cat Dry
    • E-Z-Gas II
    • E-Z-Paste
    • Liquibar (oral liquid)
    • Liquibar (enema)
    • Readi-CAT 2
    • Taigtol V
    • Varibar – Nectar
    • Varibar – Honey
    • Varibar – Pudding
    • Varibar – Thin Liquid
    • VoLumen
    • X-Opaque-HD
  • There will be amendments to the listings of the following radiological contrast media products in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 October 2014:
    • barium sulphate 22 mg per g (CT Plus+)
    • gadobenic acid (Multihance)
    • diatrizoate sodium (Ioscan)
  • The following presentations of barium sulphate radiological contrast media products will be delisted from Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 October 2014:
    • enema 1,250 mg per ml
    • eosophogeal cream 30 mg per g
    • eosophogeal cream 600 mg per g
    • eosophogeal paste 400 mg per ml
    • liq 1,000 mg per ml
    • oral liq 1 mg per ml
    • oral liq 1,250 mg per ml
    • oral liq 13 mg per ml
    • oral liq 130 mg per ml
    • oral liq 21 mg per ml
    • oral liq 400 mg per ml
    • enema 397 g
    • oral liq 10,000 g
    • oral liq 100 g
    • oral liq 148 g
    • oral liq 22.1 g
    • powder for oral liq 300 g
    • powder for oral liq 340 g

Feedback received

We appreciate all of the feedback that we received and acknowledge the time people took to respond. All consultation responses received by 27 August 2014 were considered in their entirety in making a decision on the proposed changes. Most responses were supportive of the proposal, and the following issues were raised in relation to specific aspects of the proposal:

Theme Comment
One responder noted that EZ HD Barium, Liquid Polibar and ReadiCat, which were proposed to be listed, had been discontinued. The discontinued products will not be listed.
One responder noted difficulties sourcing Volumen. Supply issues with Volumen are expected to be resolved by 1 October 2014.

More information

If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 66 00 50.