Decisions for the supply of aripiprazole tablets and celecoxib capsules - CORRECTION 13 APRIL 2022

What we’re doing

We’re pleased to announce that we have made decisions to ensure the ongoing supply of aripiprazole tablets and celecoxib capsules.

This decision means that:

• There will be no brand change for people currently on Aripiprazole Sandoz or Celecoxib Pfizer.
• The price of aripiprazole 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg tablets will change from 1 May 2022.
• The price of celecoxib 100 mg and 200 mg capsules will change from 1 June 2022.
• Celebrex 200 mg capsules will be delisted from 1 September 2022. This means that anyone taking the Celebrex brand will need to change to Celecoxib Pfizer to continue accessing a funded brand. These products are the same however the name and packaging are different.

Please note a brand name and packaging change for Celecoxib Pfizer may occur in the future. There will be no changes to the medicine itself. The name and packaging change will be notified at a future date ahead of any change.

This decision is a result of a Request for Tenders released on 19 October 2021 for the supply of aripiprazole tablets, COX-2 Inhibitors (celecoxib and etoricoxib) and prednisolone tablets.

No decisions regarding etoricoxib and prednisolone tablets have been made.

Any changes to the original proposal?

These decisions were subject to a consultation dated 2 March 2022 for the supply of aripiprazole and celecoxib.

One change has been made to the original proposals outlined in the consultation. The delisting date for Celebrex 200 mg capsules has changed from 1 November 2022 to 1 September 2022.

All the feedback received was supportive of the proposals.

Who we think will be most interested

• People currently taking aripiprazole or celecoxib and their family, whānau, and caregivers.
• Healthcare professionals or clinicians who treat people with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder or who treat people with pain and inflammatory conditions.
• Hospital and community pharmacists, DHBs and wholesalers.
• Medicine suppliers.

Details about this decision

The following changes will occur in Section B and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

From 1 October 2022 to 30 June 2025, Aripiprazole Sandoz will have Principal Supply Status (PSS). There will be an Alternative Brand Allowance (ABA) of 5%, which means that 5% of aripiprazole purchased in hospitals and the community could be a brand that is not Aripiprazole Sandoz.  The ABA brand will need to be listed on the Community Pharmaceutical Schedule for subsidy to occur. There is also the option of an extension period by mutual agreement between Pharmac and Novartis of 2 years until 30 June 2027.

From 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2025, Celecoxib Pfizer will have Principal Supply Status (PSS). There will be an Alternative Brand Allowance (ABA) of 5%, which means that 5% of celecoxib purchased in hospitals and the community could be a brand that is not Celecoxib Pfizer. The ABA brand will need to be listed on the Community Pharmaceutical Schedule for subsidy to occur.  There is also the option of an extension period by mutual agreement between Pharmac and Aspen of 2 years until 30 June 2027.

Celebrex capsule 200 mg will be delisted from Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2022.  People currently taking the Celebrex brand will need to change to Celecoxib Pfizer to continue accessing a funded brand. The Celebrex and Celecoxib Pfizer products are the same. Only the name and packaging are different.

Our response to what you told us

We’re grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation. All responses received were supportive of the proposals and ensuring ongoing supply.

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.