Process for notification of product changes

The NOPC form should be completed for all new products or changes to products listed in the Schedule. This includes both contracted and non-contracted products. For changes that have not been previously agreed with PHARMAC, suppliers should discuss the change with their PHARMAC Contract Manager before submitting this form.

Required information

In all cases, we need to know:

• The chemical name, formulation name, and brand name
• The pack size and packaging type (eg blister pack or bottle for tablets)
• The Pharmacode, as supplied to you by the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand
• If the product is an unapproved medicine supplied under Sections 26 or 29 of the Medicines Act
• Your contact details.

For new products, we also need to know

• The NZMT CTPP (supplied by NZULM), the GS1 Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and the supplier item code (the code used by customers to order, if different from the Pharmacode)
• The price (ex-supplier, exclusive of GST)
• The effective date of supply (generally this will be as per your agreement with PHARMAC).

For price changes, we also need to know

• The current and new prices (ex-supplier, exclusive of GST)
• The date of price change to the market.

For discontinuations, we also need to know

• The date of discontinuation (when you expect stock held by you to be exhausted).

For other changes, we also need to know

• The nature of the change
• The effective date of the change.

Note: this covers any material changes that aren’t covered above, such as change in registration status.

Timelines

For new listings in the Pharmaceutical Schedule

For products listed through the Invitation to Tender, this information is required by the earlier of:

• 10 business days after Market Notification Date, or
• the 5th day of the month prior to the product being listed in the Schedule.

For other contracted listings, this information is required within 10 business days of entering into a provisional listing agreement.

In all other cases, such as the listing of an Alternative Pharmaceutical, this information should be provided as soon as possible, and by the earlier of:

• 2 business days after a request for this form by PHARMAC, or
• the 12th day of the month prior to the product being listed in the Schedule.

For other changes

This information is required no later than the earlier of:

• 2 business days after a request for this form by PHARMAC, or
• the 12th day of the month prior to the change being effective in the Schedule.
• Use one form per product, completing all fields that are applicable.
• For changes that require a change in Pharmacode (eg new pack size or brand name), suppliers should submit two NOPC forms.

When to use the NOPC form

1. one for delisting the old product, and
2. a separate form for the listing of the replacement product.

• Email this form(s) to:
  • PHARMAC (schedule@pharmac.govt.nz)
  • the Pharmacy Guild (info@pharmacode.co.nz), and
  • the New Zealand Universal List of Medicines (nopc@nzulm.org.nz)

as soon as possible, but no later than the dates outlined above.

• Suppliers may provide this information in spreadsheet format where a large number of products are changing, as long as all of the required information is provided.