Jadelle contraceptive implant

A Practitioner’s Supply Order means prescribers can give the contraceptive directly to the person when they require it. This proposal would mean that women would not need to visit a pharmacy, and may make it easier for women to access Jadelle.

Doctors in general practice, pharmacists, nurses, women’s health groups, organisations with an interest in sexual and reproductive health, women seeking contraception.

Levonorgestrel implants are a form of long-acting reversible contraception. Implants are inserted below the skin in the upper arm, and provide up to five years’ contraception.

They have been funded since 2010, and were used by around 12,000 women last year.

Levonorgestrel implants require subdermal insertion, which is a minor surgical procedure that can be performed in primary care.

At present they are funded on a prescription, meaning that women must first visit a pharmacy and then return to their health care provider (GP, family planning etc.) to have the procedure.

We expect that making it more convenient for women to get and receive their implant will encourage more people to use this form of contraception.

Reducing the rate of unintended pregnancies, through making contraception options more accessible, aligns with wider Government priorities.

Levonorgestrel subdermal implants (2 x 75 mg rods) would be added to Part I of Section E of the Pharmaceutical Schedule, the list of medicines that are subsidised on a PSO.

Practitioners would be able to order up to three packs (of two rods) per PSO.

Levonorgestrel subdermal implants would continue to be available on a prescription.

This change would be implemented from 1 February 2017.

Send us an email: consultation@pharmac.govt.nz by 16 December 2016.

All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by PHARMAC’s Board (or its delegate) prior to making a decision on this proposal.

Feedback we receive is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) and we will consider any request to have information withheld in accordance with our obligations under the OIA. Anyone providing feedback, where on their own account or on behalf of an organisation, and whether in a personal or professional capacity, should be aware that the content of their feedback and their identity may need to be disclosed in response to an OIA request.

We are not able to treat any part of your feedback as confidential unless you specifically request that we do, and then only to the extent permissible under the OIA and other relevant laws and requirements. If you would like us to withhold any commercially sensitive, confidential proprietary, or personal information included in your submission, please clearly state this in your submission and identify the relevant sections of your submission that you would like it withheld. PHARMAC will give due consideration to any such request.