Proposal to secure supply of chlorhexidine with cetrimide irrigation solution ampoules and hydrogen peroxide solution, and award Principal Supply Status

What we’re proposing

We are seeking feedback on a proposal to fund new brands of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml irrigation solution ampoules, and hydrogen peroxide 3% solution in hospitals from 1 December 2024.

These medicines would be supplied by Juno Pharmaceuticals New Zealand Limited (Juno). The proposed products would have Principal Supply Status (PSS) from 1 March 2025 to 29 February 2028.

This proposal follows Pfizer’s decision to cease manufacturing from its site in Perth, Australia and discontinue supply of various pharmaceuticals to the New Zealand market.

Pharmac's Request for Proposals for various pharmaceuticals

This discontinuation includes chlorhexidine with cetrimide and hydrogen peroxide. Pharmac has now reached a provisional agreement with Juno for ongoing supply of these medicines. Further details on the proposal can be found below.

We welcome your feedback on this proposal. Consultation closes at 4 pm on 17 October 2024 and feedback can be emailed to consult@pharmac.govt.nz.

What the effect would be

Juno’s brands of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml irrigation solution ampoules and hydrogen peroxide 3% solution would be listed in the Hospital Medicines List (HML) from 1 December 2024. These products would have Principal Supply Status from 1 March 2025 to 29 February 2028. An alternative brand allowance of 5% would apply.

This proposal would mean the main funded brand of chlorhexidine 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15% 30 ml ampoules would change from Pfizer to Juno, and hydrogen peroxide 3% solution from ‘Any brand’ to the Juno brand.

We estimate that up to 30,000 people would benefit from ongoing supply of these products in the first year.

Both proposed brands would be manufactured at the same site as the previous brand. However, they would have different packaging and branding.

These medicines would continue to be funded for use in hospitals without restrictions.

This proposal would not list these medicines in Section B for use in the community.

Who we think will be interested

• People receiving these treatments, their whānau and groups who support people receiving these treatments.
• Healthcare professionals, including clinicians and hospital staff who would use these treatments for people in their care.
• Hospital pharmacists, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora hospitals and wholesalers.
• Pharmaceutical suppliers.

About chlorhexidine with cetrimide and hydrogen peroxide

Chlorhexidine with cetrimide

Chlorhexidine with cetrimide is an anti-septic solution for irrigation. It is approved in New Zealand for use in cleaning skin and open wounds.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is an oxidizing agent that can be used in solutions for disinfecting the skin.

Why we’re proposing this

On 6 March 2023, we released a Request for Proposals for various pharmaceuticals supplied by Pfizer. This followed a decision from Pfizer to cease manufacturing from its Perth site and to discontinue supplying a number of pharmaceuticals to the New Zealand market.

We acknowledge this procurement process has taken time. Discontinuations can be complex to work through. We have been working behind the scenes on this proposal to secure ongoing supply of an approved product.

As a result of this procurement process, we have entered into a provisional agreement with Juno for the supply of chlorhexidine with cetrimide irrigation solution ampoules and hydrogen peroxide solution.

This proposal would ensure funded brands of chlorhexidine with cetrimide irrigation solution and hydrogen peroxide solution would continue to be available for New Zealanders in Health NZ hospitals who need them.

Details about our proposal

From 1 December 2024, the following medicines would be listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as follows:

Chemical	Formulation	Brand	Pack size
Chlorhexidine with cetrimide	Irrigation soln 0.015% with cetrimide 0.15%, 30 ml ampoule	LumaCina	30
Hydrogen peroxide	Soln 3% (10 vol), 30 ml ampoule	LumaCina	30

The price of Juno’s products would be notified if this proposal is approved. We will consider the consultation feedback before making a decision. There is no rebate proposed for these products.

Juno would have Principal Supply Status (PSS) for the medicines listed above from 1 March 2025 to 29 February 2028. This means Juno would be the main funded brand available in Health New Zealand hospitals for these products. A 5% Alternative Brand Allowance for each product would apply.

To provide feedback

Please send us an email: consult@pharmac.govt.nz by 4 pm 17 October.

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

Your feedback may be shared

Feedback we receive is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Please be aware that we may need to share your feedback, including your identity, in response to an OIA request. This applies to anyone providing feedback, whether they are providing feedback themselves or for an organisation, in a personal or professional capacity.

We can only keep feedback confidential as allowed under the OIA and other related laws. If you want any part of your feedback treated as confidential, you need to tell us. Please let us know if you want to keep part of your feedback confidential, and why. Is it commercially sensitive, confidential, or proprietary, or personal information? Clearly state this and tell us which parts of your feedback you want to keep confidential for these reasons. We will consider your request under our OIA requirements.