Rivastigmine patches by Generic Partners is the new funded brand
The funded brand of rivastigmine patches is changing from Exelon to Generic Partners.
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Brand changing from Exelon to Generic Partners
The funded brand of rivastigmine patches is changing from Exelon to Generic Partners.
The new brand was available from 1 February 2020
- From 1 February 2020, Generic Partners patches was fully funded and available for patients.
- From 1 April 2020, the subsidy on the Exelon patches reduced – meaning there may be an additional cost of staying on this brand of patches.
- From 1 July 2020, Generic Partners patches are the only funded brand. Exelon patches are no longer funded.
If you want to keep using your current brand of rivastigmine patches, ask a pharmacist to check the price and availability. PHARMAC cannot guarantee the availability or price of Exelon patches after 1 July 2020.
You shouldn’t notice any difference with the change to Exelon. If you have any questions or concerns about changes to medicines, you should talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Generic Partners rivastigmine patches work the same as other brands
- Generic Partners patches work in the same way as the Exelon patches. Generic Partners patches have the same active ingredient (rivastigmine) and they deliver rivastigmine to the body in the same way.
- Generic Partners patches have been thoroughly evaluated by Medsafe to ensure they’re safe and work the same as other brands.
The Generics Partners patches are clear in colour
- The Generics Partners patches are a different colour to the Exelon patches. The new patches will be clear while the Exelon patches are beige.
- Although the patches are a different colour this does not affect how much medicine is in each patch or how each patch works.
Your brand is changing to help us fund other medicines
A decision to change the brand of a medicine, especially one as important as rivastigmine, isn’t taken lightly.
Our job is to make sure New Zealanders have access to the medicines they need. Making changes to the brands of funded medicines helps us achieve that by freeing up our limited budget to fund other medicines in the community.
Information for healthcare professionals
As a healthcare professional, you play an important role in supporting your patients through changes in brands to their medicines. We’d like to support you as you help your patients through the changes to rivastigmine patch brand.
Key points to tell your patients about the Generic Partners patches:
- Generic Partners patches have the same active ingredient (rivastigmine) as other brands. This means the new brand of medication is just as safe and works in the same way as the old brand.
- Generic Partners patches are a different colour from the Exelon patch. The Generic Partners patches are clear, the Exelon patches are beige - this will not change how well the medicine works.
It is important to ensure all transdermal patches are applied correctly to the skin. Medsafe have a datasheet about rivastigine.
Find out more
We recommend you talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about changing brands. They know you and your circumstances best.
You can contact PHARMAC on: