Proposal to list preservative free eye drops and amend the listings related to preserved eye drops

As a result of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for eye lubricants dated 31 October 2012, PHARMAC has entered into provisional agreements with AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Alcon New Zealand Limited for a range of ocular lubricants.

In summary, this proposal would result in:

In relation to preserved lubricating eye preparations

• Hypromellose 0.3% with dextran 0.1% eye drops, under the brand name Poly-Tears, being the only preserved thin lubricating eye drop funded in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule and being listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule;

• Methopt (Hypromellose 0.5% eye drops) and Vistil (polyvinyl alcohol 1.4% eye drops) currently listed in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule being reference priced to Poly-Tears from 1 June 2013 and then delisted from 1 September 2013;

• the listing relating to polyvinyl alcohol eye drops 3%, under the brand name Vistil Forte, being amended in Section B and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

In relation to preservative free lubricating eye preparations

• Sodium hyaluronate eye drops 1 mg per ml under the brand name Hylo-Fresh, being the only thin preservative free lubricating eye drops funded in Section B and being listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule;

• Macrogol 400 0.4% with propylene glycol 0.3% eye drops, under the brand name Systane Unit Dose, being listed in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as the only thick preservative free lubricating eye drops funded and being listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule;

• Carbomer ophthalmic gel 0.2%, under the brand name Poly Gel, being listed in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as the only preservative free lubricating eye gel funded and being listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule;

All preservative free lubricating eye preparations would be subject to Special Authority criteria.

In relation to eye ointments

• Retinol palmitate 138 mcg per g ophthalmic ointment, under the brand name VitA-POS, being listed in Section B and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Feedback sought

PHARMAC welcomes feedback on this proposal. To provide feedback, please submit it in writing by Monday, 29 April 2013 to:

All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by PHARMAC’s Board (or Chief Executive acting under delegated authority) prior to making a decision on this proposal.