Notification of dates for entecavir brand switch

What we’re doing

We’re pleased to announce the listing date and transition timeframes for a brand switch for entecavir from Baraclude to Entecavir Sandoz.

This follows a decision regarding the funding of entecavir and tenofovir disoproxil (as notified on 14 May 2018).

The funded brand of entecavir will change from Baraclude (supplied by BMS) to Entecavir Sandoz (supplied by Novartis) as follows:

• A transition period will commence on 1 August 2018 when the new brand of entecavir (Entecavir Sandoz) is funded.
• Entecavir Sandoz will become the only funded brand of entecavir in both the community and hospital setting from 1 January 2019.
• A Brand Switch Fee will apply to tenofovir disoproxil and entecavir for three months from 1 January 2019.

Any changes to the original decision?

There are no changes to the decisions notified on 14 May 2018 other than a confirmation of transition dates. 

Who we think will be most interested

Patients currently taking entecavir tablets, pharmacists, doctors in general practice, gastroenterologists, oncologists, infectious disease specialists, HIV specialists, DHBs, suppliers and wholesalers.

This proposal will be of particular interest to clinicians treating patients with chronic hepatitis B and:

• are currently prescribed adefovir or lamivudine
• are considering their options for prevention of hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients who are surface antigen negative/core antibody positive.

Questions?

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.