Decision to list two new intravenous fluids
PHARMAC is pleased to announce the approval of an agreement with Baxter Healthcare Ltd (Baxter) to list two new intravenous fluids in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 March 2017.
This will mean that the following intravenous fluids will be listed for use in DHB hospitals from 1 March 2017:
- Inj 5% glucose with potassium chloride 20 mmol/l and sodium chloride 0.9%, 1,000 ml bag
- Inj 5% glucose with potassium chloride 20 mmol/l and sodium chloride 0.45%, 1,000 ml bag
Details of the decision
These new intravenous fluids will be listed under the Intravenous Administration subheading in Fluids and Electrolytes (Blood and Blood Forming Organs therapeutic group), in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule (the Hospital Medicines List or HML) from 1 March 2017 as follows:
| Chemical | Formulation | Brand | Pack size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose with potassium chloride and sodium chloride | Inj 5% glucose with potassium chloride 20 mmol/l and sodium chloride 0.9%, bag | Baxter | 1,000 ml | $12.50 |
| Glucose with potassium chloride and sodium chloride | Inj 5% glucose with potassium chloride 20 mmol/l and sodium chloride 0.45%, bag | Baxter | 1,000 ml | $8.29 |
No restrictions will apply to the listing.
Background
Intravenous fluids are used for maintenance therapy to replace the ongoing losses of water and electrolytes, replacement therapy to correct any existing water and electrolyte deficits (including during resuscitation) and for the administration of some intravenous medicines.
These particular fluid compositions have been included in the Starship Children’s Health intravenous fluid guidelines and are now considered to be the preferred maintenance fluids in children. Currently, these fluids are being individually compounded within hospitals for paediatric patients by making additions to other listed fluid bags.
The listing of these new intravenous fluid compositions is the outcome of PHARMAC’s consideration of two clinician funding applications supplemented by further information obtained from the supplier. The first of the clinician applications was for these fluids to be listed in the HML as the primary maintenance fluids in children. The other application was for the fluid containing 0.45% sodium chloride to be listed for post-operative use in people with diabetes, following inclusion in British guidelines.
In a recent consultation on our draft Request for Tender (RFT) list for upcoming national procurement activity, these two fluids were included in the list of products that we proposed including in the RFT. Based on the responses received, this remains our intention following this listing decision.
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.