Decision to list epoprostenol injection

Medicines Decision

PHARMAC is pleased to announce the approval of an agreement with Actelion Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited to list epoprostenol injection (Veletri) in Part II of Section H (the Hospital Medicines List or HML) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 26 June 2015.

In summary, the effect of the decision is that epoprostenol injection (Veletri) will be listed in the HML from 1 September 2015 for use as a bridge to transplant for patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) who are on the active waiting list for lung transplantation.

Decision to list epoprostenol injection [PDF, 67 KB]

Details of the decision

  • Epoprostenol will be listed under the Prostacyclin Analogues heading in the Vasodilators therapeutic subgroup of the Cardiovascular System therapeutic group in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2015 at the following price (ex-manufacturer, excluding GST):
    Chemical Formulation Brand Pack size Price
    Epoprostenol Inj 0.5 mg vial Veletri 1 $36.61
    Epoprostenol Inj 1.5 mg vial Veletri 1 $73.21
  • Epoprostenol injection will be subject to the following restriction:

Restricted

For use as a bridge to transplant for patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension who are on the active waiting list for lung transplantation.

Feedback received

We appreciate all of the feedback that we received and acknowledge the time people took to respond. All consultation responses received by 10 July 2015 were considered in their entirety in making a decision on the proposed changes. Most responses were supportive of the proposal, and the following issues were raised in relation to specific aspects of the proposal:

Theme Comment

Wording of the proposed restriction is confusing

PHARMAC has simplified the drafting of the restriction.

Access should be opened to include paediatric PAH patients with well-defined and severe disease who may not be on a transplantation waiting list

PHARMAC considers that the Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) policy would be the most appropriate channel to consider funding for such patients. Further information on the NPPA policy can be found on the PHARMAC website.

More information

If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.