Decision to list ceftaroline fosamil (Zinforo)

Medicines Decision

PHARMAC is pleased to announce that it has decided to list ceftaroline fosamil for use in DHB hospitals, following an agreement with AstraZeneca Limited.

This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 5 September 2014.

The decision means will be listed for use in DHB hospitals for multi-resistant organism salvage therapy from 1 November 2014.

Details of the decision

Ceftaroline fosamil will be listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule at the following price from 1 November 2014 (ex-manufacturer, excluding GST):

Chemical Presentation Brand Pack size Price
Ceftaroline fosamil Inj 600 mg vial Zinforo 10 $1,450.00

Ceftaroline fosamil would be listed subject to the following restriction in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule:

Ceftaroline fosamil

Restricted

Infectious Disease Physician or Clinical Microbiologist

Multi-resistant organism salvage therapy

Either:

for patients where alternative therapies have failed; or
for patients who have a contraindication or hypersensitivity to standard current therapies.

Feedback received

We appreciate all of the feedback that we received and acknowledge the time people took to respond. All consultation responses received by 19 September 2014 were considered in their entirety in making a decision on the proposed changes. All responses were supportive of the proposal.

More information

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.