Decision to fund additional enteral feeds to ensure continuity of supply
What we’re doing
In response to ongoing global supply issues for special foods we are pleased to advise that Pharmac has made the decision to fund a fixed amount of a range of enteral feeds supplied by Fresenius Kabi from 1 February 2023 until stock has been used or expired.
Enteral feeds are a type of nutrition given to people who are unable to eat enough to get the nutrients they need and are given directly into the stomach or small intestine.
Enteral feeds are used in the treatment of a range of short-term and long-term conditions and may be used by some people as their sole source of nutrition.
This decision will help to ensure that a range of enteral feeds remain available for people who need them while supply issues that disrupted supply of special foods in 2022 continue to be resolved.
Approximately nine months’ stock has been secured from Fresenius Kabi. Initial deliveries of stock of most of the enteral feeds are expected to be available from late February 2023 but some may arrive after this time.
Suppliers of currently funded enteral feeds are continuing to work to ensure continuity of supply and availability of these products in New Zealand. We will continue to provide supply updates on our website.
Further details about this decision can be found below.
Who we think will be most interested
- People using enteral feeds and their whānau
- Healthcare professionals in community and hospital settings who are involved in supporting people using enteral feeds
- Suppliers of enteral feeds and other special foods in New Zealand.
Details about this decision
Fresenius Kabi’s range of enteral feeds will be listed in Section D and Part II Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2023. This means Fresenius Kabi’s enteral feeds can be used by people in community and hospital settings. It is expected that most of the enteral feeds to be supplied by Fresenius Kabi will be available from late February 2023. Enteral feeds that are not available at this time are expected to arrive on later shipments.
We have heard from our clinical advisors that it is important to secure supply of alternative special foods due to ongoing supply issues and understand that there is a particular need to ensure ongoing supply of enteral feeds.
A range of Fresenius Kabi’s enteral feeds will be listed in Section D and Part II Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2023.
Fresenius Kabi’s enteral feeds will be funded for people who meet the eligibility criteria for currently funded enteral feeds in Section D and Part II Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule and will be supplied at the following prices and subsidies (ex-manufacturer, excluding GST):
Paediatric Products
| Chemical | Presentation | Brand | Pack Size | Price and subsidy (ex-man., ex. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paediatric enteral feed 1kcal/ml | Liquid | Frebini Original | 500 ml OP | $6.50 |
| Paediatric enteral feed with fibre 1kcal/ml | Liquid | Frebini Original Fibre | 500 ml OP | $7.00 |
| Paediatric enteral feed 1.5kcal/ml | Liquid | Frebini Energy | 500 ml OP | $6.50 |
| Paediatric enteral feed with fibre 1.5kcal/ml | Liquid | Frebini Energy Fibre | 500 ml OP | $7.00 |
Standard supplements
| Chemical | Presentation | Brand | Pack Size | Price and subsidy (ex-man., ex. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enteral feed 1kcal/ml | Liquid | Fresubin Original | 1,000 ml OP | $6.50 |
| Enteral feed with fibre 1kcal/ml | Liquid | Fresubin Original Fibre | 1,000 ml OP | $7.00 |
| Enteral feed with protein 1.2kcal/ml | Liquid | Fresubin Intensive | 500 ml OP | $9.60 |
| Enteral feed 1.5kcal/ml | Liquid | Fresubin HP Energy | 1,000 ml OP | $9.60 |
| Enteral feed with fibre 1.5kcal/ml | Liquid | Fresubin HP Energy Fibre | 1,000 ml OP | $9.80 |
Specialised and elemental products
| Chemical | Presentation | Brand | Pack Size | Price and subsidy (ex-man., ex. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-elemental enteral feed 1kcal/ml | Liquid | Survimed OPD | 500 ml OP | $ 9.60 |
High Calorie Products
| Chemical | Presentation | Brand | Pack Size | Price and subsidy (ex-man., ex. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enteral feed 2 kcal/ml | Liquid | Fresubin 2kcal HP | 500 ml OP | $ 6.50 |
We have entered an agreement with Fresenius Kabi for a fixed volume for the above range of its enteral feeds. This volume is expected to provide approximately nine months’ worth of stock. It is intended that this will provide additional depth to the enteral feed market in New Zealand and would ensure continuity of supply while the issues that disrupted the supply of special foods, including enteral feeds during 2022 continue to be resolved.
Fresenius Kabi’s enteral feeds will arrive in New Zealand in a number of shipments to ensure stock is supplied with the best expiry dates available at the time. Most of the stock will be supplied with expiry dates no shorter than three months from the date of delivery. However, in some instances it may be necessary for the stock to be supplied with shorter expiry dates
Fresenius Kabi’s range of enteral feeds will remain listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule until the stock has been used or expires, whichever occurs first. At this time Fresenius Kabi’s enteral feeds will be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
We understand that there is interest from healthcare professionals in Fresenius Kabi’s range of special foods being available in New Zealand longer term, and we are continuing to discuss future supply options with the supplier.
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 660 050.