Proposal to fund an additional brand of budesonide with eformoterol

What we’re proposing

There would be no changes to the currently funded brands of budesonide with eformoterol dry powder inhalers (Symbicort Turbuhaler) and aerosol inhalers (Vannair).

Budesonide with eformoterol inhalers are used for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Consultation closes at 5pm Friday 14 August 2020 and feedback can be emailed to consult@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

For patients

There would be no change for patients with asthma or COPD, except that they would have another funded brand of budesonide with eformoterol dry powder inhaler available to them.

For prescribers, pharmacies and DHBs

There would be no significant impacts for prescribers, pharmacies or DHBs from this proposal, except that there would be another funded brand of budesonide with eformoterol available to treat patients with asthma or COPD.

Who we think will be interested

• People with asthma or COPD and their whānau
• Respiratory physicians, respiratory nurses, immunologists, general practitioners, pharmacists and other clinicians involved in the management of asthma or COPD
• Hospital pharmacists
• Pharmaceutical suppliers

About DuoResp Spiromax

DuoResp Spiromax is a breath activated dry powder inhaler that contains budesonide and eformoterol, which is inhaled into the lungs for the treatment of asthma or COPD.

Budesonide belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It acts directly on airways to reduce inflammation. Eformoterol belongs to a group of medicines called long-acting beta-2-agonists; it opens up the airways to help you breathe more easily.

The doses of budesonide and eformoterol delivered via the Duoresp Spiromax inhaler are 160/4.5 mcg and 320/9 mcg. These correspond to metered doses of 200/6 mcg and 400/12 mcg, respectively, and are equivalent to these doses delivered by the currently funded Symbicort Turbuhaler brand.

The metered dose is the dose available within the inhaler to be dispensed per puff. The delivered dose is the dose available for inhalation per puff.

Why we’re proposing this

We are interested in introducing and promoting competition in the budesonide with eformoterol market. We received a proposal from Teva that would enable us to list another brand of budesonide with eformoterol dry powder inhaler and thereby progress towards our goal of freeing up funds that could be used to fund more medicines for the benefit of New Zealanders.

Details about our proposal

Two strengths of budesonide with eformoterol (DuoResp Spiromax) would be listed in Section B and in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 October 2020 at the following prices and subsidies (as applicable, ex-manufacturer, excluding GST): 

A confidential rebate would apply to Duoresp Spiromax that would reduce the net price to the funder.

DuoResp Spiromax would have protection from subsidy reduction and delisting until 30 September 2021.

There would be no changes to the listings of the currently funded Symbicort Turbuhaler or Vannair brands and strengths of budesonide with eformoterol inhalers.(external link)

To provide feedback

Send us an email: consult@pharmac.govt.nz by 5pm Friday 14 August 2020.

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, whether 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.