Decision to award sole supply for apomorphine hydrochloride
PHARMAC are pleased to announce changes to the funding of apomorphine hydrochloride, a medicine used to treat advanced Parkinson’s disease, through an agreement with Stada.
In summary:
- The Movapo brand of apomorphine 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule will remain funded.
- A new apomorphine 10 mg per ml, 5 ml ampoule will be funded from 1 February 2020.
- Consumables for continuous infusion and intermittent injection will be available to patients free of charge from 1 January 2020.
- The infusion pump will continue to be supplied to patients, on loan, free of charge and patients will continue to receive the education and nursing support service provided by Stada.
- the cost of Movapo 2 ml ampoule will be reduced from 1 January 2020 and Movapo will be the only funded brand of apomorphine hydrochloride until 30 June 2023.
This decision results from a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the supply of funded apomorphine. In addition to funding the new ampoule size and providing funded consumables for patients for the first time, it will free up significant funds for PHARMAC to invest in other medicines for the benefit of New Zealanders.
Any changes to the original proposal?
This decision was subject to a consultation letter dated 25 October 2019
There were no changes to the original proposal.
Who we think will be most interested
- People currently using apomorphine and their whānau and caregivers
- Consumer support groups for people living with Parkinson’s disease
- Clinicians who treat people with Parkinson’s disease (neurologists, general practitioners, nurse specialists, clinician groups)
- Hospital and community pharmacies, DHBs and wholesalers
- Suppliers of apomorphine
Details about this decision
From 1 January 2020 the price of Stada’s brand of apomorphine hydrochloride 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule (Movapo) will be reduced in Section B and Part ll of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as follows:
|
Chemical |
Presentation |
Brand |
Pack size |
Current Price and Subsidy |
New Price and Subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apomorphine Hydrochloride |
10mg per ml, 2ml ampoule |
Movapo |
5 |
$119.00 |
$59.50 |
From 1 February 2020 a new presentation of apomorphine hydrochloride will be listed from in Section B and Part ll of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as follows:
|
Chemical |
Presentation |
Brand |
Pack size |
Price and Subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apomorphine Hydrochloride |
10mg per ml, 5ml ampoule |
Movapo |
5 |
$121.84 |
Movapo will be the only funded brand of apomorphine hydrochloride in both the community and hospital settings from 1 January 2020 until 30 June 2023. A discretionary variance (DV) limit of 1% will apply in DHB hospitals, meaning that only 1% of total purchases of the relevant presentation of apomorphine hydrochloride can be a brand other than Movapo.
Consumables for continuous infusion and intermittent injection will be supplied to patients free of charge. Patients who order their own consumables can continue to order their consumables via their usual wholesaler. The cost will now be met by Stada as a result of the funding agreement with PHARMAC. Any patients who have consumables supplied by DHBs will be contacted by Stada representatives and full training will be given on how to order consumables. The following consumables will be provided free of charge:
- Crono syringe and needle
- insulin syringe and needle
- Soft-glide infusion line
- saline ampoules.
Infusion pumps will continue to be supplied to patients, on loan, free of charge.
Stada will continue to provide patient and nursing education and support services.Our response to what you told us
We’re really grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation. Responses were generally supportive of the proposal, and responders welcomed the listing of the larger 5 ml ampoule and the provision of consumables at no cost to patients. There were some queries relating to commercial matters that we will be responding to directly. There were no changes to the original proposal as a result of consultation feedback.
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.