Decision to fund levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone combination tablets for people with Parkinson disease
What we’re doing
We are pleased to announce that levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone combination tablets (branded as Stalevo) will be funded from 1 February 2025. Four different strengths of combination tablets will be funded. See the details section for more information about the listing.
People will be able to take one combination tablet rather than two (or more) separate tablets. We expect that around 580 people would benefit in the first year of funding. This would increase to 700 after five years.
We currently fund levodopa with carbidopa tablets and entacapone tablets separately on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. These will remain funded.
The Government provided additional funding to Pharmac in June 2024 to fund new medicines and widen access to medicines that are already funded. The funding increase covers medicines for both cancer and non-cancer health conditions. This decision is one of many that we’re working on to put our budget increase into action.
Media release on Pharmac’s funding boost
2023/24 Annual Tender
Levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone combination tablets were included in the 2023/24 Annual Tender. We consulted on the draft 2023/24 Annual Tender list in July 2023, which included the combination tablets.
We did not receive any feedback about levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone combination tablets.
Who we think will be most interested
- People with Parkinson disease, their whānau, friends and caregivers
- Support and advocacy groups for people with Parkinson disease
- Healthcare professionals involved in the management of Parkinson disease
- Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Wholesalers and suppliers
Detail about this decision
From 1 February 2025, Max Health’s brand of levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone combination tablets will be listed in Section B and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as follows:
|
Chemical |
Formulation |
Brand (Supplier) |
Pack size |
Price and subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone |
Tab 50 mg with carbidopa 12.5 mg and entacapone 200 mg |
Stalevo |
100 |
$27.01 |
|
Levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone |
Tab 100 mg with carbidopa 25 mg and entacapone 200 mg |
Stalevo |
100 |
$34.18 |
|
Levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone |
Tab 150 mg with carbidopa 37.5 mg and entacapone 200 mg |
Stalevo |
100 |
$44.96 |
|
Levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone |
Tab 200 mg with carbidopa 50 mg and entacapone 200 mg |
Stalevo |
100 |
$51.23 |
Stalevo (Max Health) will be the Principal Supply brand of the levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone combination tablets listed above from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2027.
Pharmac has decided not to award tenders for two combinations. Our clinical advisors considered these were less likely to be used:
- Levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone tab 75 mg with carbidopa 12.5 mg and entacapone 200 mg
- Levodopa with carbidopa and entacapone tab 125 mg with carbidopa 31.25 mg and entacapone 200 mg.
This decision does not stop us from considering funding a wider range of strengths in future.
This decision will not change the funded brands of levodopa with carbidopa tablets or entacapone tablets. People can continue using these separate treatments.
How we will support the new treatment option
This decision introduces a new treatment option for people with Parkinson disease. To support healthcare professionals and consumers with information about this new treatment option, we will do the following:
Support for People with Parkinson Disease
- Provide downloadable patient information leaflets on our website to ensure easy access to relevant information.
- Work with consumer websites to include the new treatment option and information on its use.
- Notify patient support and advocacy groups so they can support their communities and share information on the new treatment option.
Support for Health Care Professionals
- Communicate with health professionals about the new listing and its impact for people’s care. This will include information from Pharmac’s Neurological Advisory Committee about things to consider for people who are currently using a controlled release formulation of levodopa with carbidopa and would like to change to the new treatment option.
Meeting record of the Neurological Advisory Committee from 19 September 2023 [PDF, 682 KB] - Provide targeted alerts to healthcare professionals prescribing levodopa with carbidopa tablets and entacapone tablets, so they can talk to people about whether a change is right for them.
- Work with the supplier to provide educational material for prescribers.
- Update healthcare professional resources to include information and guidance on the new treatment option.
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.