Proposal to list boceprevir and amending the listing of pegylated interferon and ribavirin

The provisional agreements were reached as a result of a Request for Proposals issued by PHARMAC on 30 April 2013.

In summary, this proposal would result in:

• boceprevir (Victrelis) being funded, under Special Authority, from 1 September 2013 for treatment of patients living with chronic hepatitis C:
  • with IL-28 gene CT or TT allele; and
  • who have previously been treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin who were partial responders, responder relapsers or were treated prior to 2005;
• Victrelis being the only funded protease inhibitor for the treatment of hepatitis C in the community until 30 June 2016;
• the funded access criteria for pegylated interferon with/without ribavirin being widened from 1 September 2013 to cover retreatment of patients living with chronic hepatitis C who have previously been treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin who were partial responders, responder relapsers or were treated prior to 2005 in combination with boceprevir; and
• Pegasys being the only funded brand of pegylated interferon with/without ribavirin in the community until 30 June 2017.

Feedback sought

PHARMAC welcomes feedback on this proposal. To provide feedback, please submit it in writing by 4.00pm on Friday, 2 August 2013 to:

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