Medical journal articles
This page lists articles and letters prepared or contributed to by PHARMAC for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
2017 onward
- Over and under? Ethnic inequities in community antibacterial prescribing. Metcalfe S, Bhawan S, Vallabh M, Murray P, Proffitt C, Williams G. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2019(external link)
- Te Wero tonu—the challenge continues: Māori access to medicines 2006/07-2012/13 update. Metcalfe S, Beyene K, Urlich J, Jones R, Proffitt C, Harrison J, Andrews Ā. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2018(external link)
- Antibacterials dispensed in the community comprise 85%-95% of total human antibacterial consumption. Duffy E, Ritchie S, Metcalfe S, Van Bakel B, Thomas MG. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018.(external link)
- Dispensing patterns for antidiabetic agents in New Zealand: are the guidelines being followed? Murray P, Norris H, Metcalfe S, Betty B, Young V, Locke B. N Z Med J. 2017.(external link)
With accompanying Editorial:
Metformin: a golden oldie. Lunt H, Hudson B. N Z Med J. 2017.(external link)
2014 to 2016
- Mind the gap: an analysis of foregone health gains from unfunded cancer medicines in New Zealand. Evans J, Laking G, Strother M, Wang T, Metcalfe S, Blick G, Pauls R, Crausaz S. Seminars in Oncology, 2016.(external link)With accompanying Editorial: The high cost of ignorance in oncology. Fojo T. Semin Onc 2016.(external link)
-
Pharmaceutical funding frameworks to better public health. Metcalfe S, Menkes D, Murray P. submitted to JAMA in 2016,
commenting on: Conti RM, Gee RE, Sharfstein JM. Pharmaceuticals and Public Health. JAMA 2016.(external link)
- The safety and efficacy of benzbromarone in gout in Aotearoa New Zealand. Stamp LK, Haslett J, Frampton C, et al. Internal Medicine Journal, 2016.(external link)
- Disinvestment and value-based purchasing strategies for pharmaceuticals: an international review. Parkinson B, Sermet C, Clement F, Crausaz S, Godman B, Garner S, Choudhury M, Pearson S, Viney R, Lopert R, Elshaug A. PharmacoEconomics, 2015.(external link)
- Generic pregabalin; current situation and implications for health authorities, generics and biosimilars manufacturers in the future. Godman B, Wilcock M, Martin A, et al. GaBI (Generics and Biosimilars Initiative) 2015.(external link)
- 3-Year experience with access to nationally funded growth hormone (GH) replacement for GH deficient adults. Holdaway IM, Hunt P, Manning P, Cutfield W, Gamble G, Ninow N, Staples-Moon D, Moodie P, Metcalfe S. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2015.(external link)
- Clarification from PHARMAC: PHARMAC takes no particular distributive approach (utilitarian or otherwise). Metcalfe S, Grocott R and Rasiah D. PharmacoEconomics, 2014.(external link) (Comment on Gauld R. Ahead of its time? reflecting on New Zealand's Pharmac following its 20th anniversary. PharmacoEconomics, 2014).(external link)
- Self-monitoring blood glucose test strip use with diabetes medicines in people with types 1 and 2 diabetes in New Zealand. Metcalfe S, Moodie P, Norris H, Rasiah D. N Z Med J. 2014;127(1406):48-62.(external link)
2011 to 2013
- Variation in the use of medicines by ethnicity in 2006/07; a preliminary analysis. Metcalfe S, Laking G, Arnold J. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2013.(external link)
- Assessing the value for money of pharmaceuticals in New Zealand—PHARMAC’s approach to cost-utility analysis. Grocott R, Metcalfe S, Alexander P, Werner R. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2013.(external link)
- Funding community medicines by exception: A descriptive epidemiological study. Rasiah D, Edwards R and Crampton P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2012.(external link)
- National prescribing data for dabigatran. Metcalfe S and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2012.(external link)
- Do pharmaceutical score cards give us the answers we seek?. Moodie P, Metcalfe S, Poynton M. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2011.(external link)
- PHARMAC has no cost-effectiveness threshold. Metcalfe S, Rodgers A, Werner R and Schousboe C. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2012.(external link)
- PHARMAC's updated guidelines for cost-utility analyses, with new QALYs per $1M metric. Grocott R and Metcalfe S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2012.(external link)
- Usage and equity of access to isotretinoin in New Zealand by deprivation and ethnicity. Moodie P, Jaine R, Arnold J, Metcalfe S, Bignall M and Arroll B. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2011.(external link)
- Terminations of pregnancy associated with isotretinoin use in New Zealand. Moodie P, Jaine R, Arnold J, Metcalfe S, Bignall M and Arroll B. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2011.(external link)
2009 to 2010
- New Zealand in fact has no cost-effectiveness threshold. Metcalfe S and Grocott R. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2010.(external link)
- Clarifications on How New Zealand has contained expenditure on drugs. Metcalfe S. E-letter published on British Medical Journal website, 2010.(external link) (Comments on Cummings J et al. How New Zealand has contained expenditure on drugs. British Medical Journal, 2010).(external link)
- Applying Programme Budgeting Marginal Analysis in the health sector: 12 years of experience. Grocott R. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 2009.(external link)
- Capillary glucose meter accuracy and sources of error in the ambulatory setting. Lunt H, Florkowski C, Bignall M and Budgen C. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2010.(external link)
2007 to 2008
- Trastuzumab: possible publication bias (response to Perez & Suman). Laking G, Wells S, Burgess C and Metcalfe S. submitted to The Lancet, 2008. (A complementary letter from Professor Klim McPherson and colleagues was also submitted to The Lancet in 2008.)
- Trastuzumab: possible publication bias. Metcalfe S, Burgess C, Laking G, Evans J, Wells S and Crausaz S. The Lancet, 2008.(external link) (Content and further details for this article are in the authors' manuscript)
- Funding a clinical trial: the perspective of a medicines funder. Alsop P, Metcalfe S and Evans J. Pharmacoeconomics, 2008.(external link)
- PHARMAC and cardiovascular health in New Zealand. Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2008.
- Ciproxin HC eardrops application for funding – and response from PHARMAC. Baber WJ, Neeff M and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2008.
- Trastuzumab – mechanism of action and use in clinical practice. Metcalfe S and Evans J. submitted to New England Journal of Medicine in 2007. [PDF, 78 KB]
- PHARMAC funding of 9-week concurrent trastuzumab (Herceptin) for HER-2 positive early breast cancer. Metcalfe S, Evans J and Priest G. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2007.
- Medicines funding: value for money is nothing new. Brougham M. British Medical Journal, 2007.(external link)
- PHARMAC responds on Herceptin assumptions and decisions. Metcalfe S and Evans J. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2007.
- PHARMAC and statins – correction is needed. Metcalfe S and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2007.
- PHARMAC’s updated guidelines for cost-effectiveness analyses, with new discount rate. Grocott R and Metcalfe S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2007.
- Dealing with opportunity cost: a New Zealand perspective on trastuzumab funding. Metcalfe S, Crausaz S, Evans J and Brougham M. E-letter published on British Medical Journal website, 2007.(external link)
- Balancing the risks and benefits of celecoxib. Caldwell B, Beasley R, Weatherall M and Metcalfe S. American Journal of Medicine, 2007.(external link)
2005 to 2006
- Interferon beta, PHARMAC and political directives – PHARMAC clarifies. Metcalfe S and Moodie P. prepared for New Zealand Medical Journal in 2006.
- The impact of a cardiovascular risk awareness campaign on statin prescribing – good news / bad news. Gribben B, Jackson R, Arroll B, Metcalfe S and Goodyear-Smith F. submitted to New Zealand Medical Journal in 2006.
- Commentary on 'The impact of a cardiovascular risk awareness campaign on statin prescribing – good news / bad news'. Metcalfe S and Parore-Katene M. in preparation for New Zealand Medical Journal during 2006.
- The impact of a prescriber awareness campaign on persistent high average daily doses of inhaled steroids in New Zealand primary care. Gribben B, Crampton P, Toop L and Metcalfe S. prepared for New Zealand Medical Journal in 2006.
- PHARMAC and erythropoietin for cancer patients. Grocott R, Metcalfe S and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- PHARMAC and EpiPen for anaphylaxis. Moodie P, Metcalfe S and Dougherty S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- PHARMAC responds on agents to prevent osteoporotic fractures. Metcalfe S, Wilkinson T and Rasiah D. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- More on PHARMAC and tobacco control in New Zealand. Metcalfe S and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- PHARMAC and statins – getting the best population health gains. Moodie P, Dougherty S and Metcalfe S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- PHARMAC responds on tolterodine for overactive bladder. Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- PHARMAC’s response on clopidogrel. Moodie P and Dougherty S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- PHARMAC seeks clinical feedback on its cost-utility analysis methodology. Grocott R and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- More from PHARMAC on long-acting insulin analogues: insulin glargine now funded. Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- More from PHARMAC on temozolomide: feedback needed. Rasiah D. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2006.
- Going against the flow: the impact of PHARMAC not funding COX-2 inhibitors for chronic arthritis. Grocott R and Metcalfe S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005. [PDF, 170 KB]
- PHARMAC’s response on temozolomide and funding costly medicines that prolong life shortly. Metcalfe S, Crausaz S, Moodie P and McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds on treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Metcalfe S, Rasiah D and Dougherty S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds on TNF inhibitors for inflammatory arthritis. Metcalfe S, Moodie P, Grocott R and Wilkinson T. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds on long-acting inhalers for COPD. Metcalfe S and Dougherty S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds on long-acting insulin analogues. Metcalfe S, Evans J and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds on salbutamol. Metcalfe S, Moodie P, Davies A, McNee W and Dougherty S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds to Stewart Mann on dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists. Davies A, Metcalfe S, Moodie P and McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC and tobacco control in New Zealand: two licensed funded options are already available. (with responses by Holt et al and the Editor). Metcalfe S, Moodie P and McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds to Richard Milne on discounting health benefits and costs. Metcalfe S, Brougham M, Moodie P and Grocott R. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC welcomes debate. Moodie P, McNee W and Metcalfe S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC responds to the RMI’s editorial. Moodie P and McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC’s response to Tim Blackmore on the sole supply of influenza vaccine. McNee W, Moodie P, Schmitt S and Dick A. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- Response to ‘Exceptional circumstances and heart transplantation’ letter. Tomlinson P and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
- PHARMAC's response on gemcitabine and transparency. Crausaz S and Metcalfe S. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2005.
2002 to 2004
- Seretide meta-analysis missed important features and overstates any advantages over concurrent LABA/ICS devices. Metcalfe S and Moodie P. Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, 2004.
- Patients using diabetes medicines, including the under- and overuse of blood glucose testing. Metcalfe S. in preparation for NZ Medical Journal during 2004.
- Specific oral contraceptive use and venous thromboembolism resulting in hospital admission. Heuser P, Tonga K, Hopkins R, Henderson M, Weatherall M, Metcalfe S and Beasley R. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2004.
- Statin usage in Australia and New Zealand, and problems with use of DDDs. Metcalfe S and Moodie P. E-letter published on British Medical Journal website, 2004.(external link)
- Asthma medicines (SABAs, LABAs and ICSs) and hospitalisations by age and by ethnicity over time. Metcalfe S. in preparation for NZ Medical Journal during 2004.
- The relationship between trends in long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) use and asthma hospitalisations in New Zealand. Metcalfe S. in preparation for NZ Medical Journal during 2004.
- PHARMAC measures savings elsewhere to the health sector. Metcalfe S, Dougherty S, Brougham M and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2003.
- More on DTCA and the cost of asthma inhalers. McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2003.
- Direct-to-consumer advertising – yes it can compromise patient health. Metcalfe S, McNee W and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2003.
- Response from PHARMAC: difficult choices. Moodie P, Metcalfe S and McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2003. [PDF, 91 KB]
- Death of pharmacy or safer dispensing?. McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2003. [PDF, 33 KB]
- More about cardiovascular disease and lipid management in New Zealand. Metcalfe S and Moodie P. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2002. [PDF, 265 KB]
- Old letters, new rules. Metcalfe S. The Lancet, 2002. [PDF, 47 KB]
- Heart Protection Study. Metcalfe S, Dawson S and Milne RJ. The Lancet, 2002.(external link)
- Systematic review of celecoxib for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: celecoxib's relative gastrointestinal safety is overstated. Metcalfe S, Dougherty S and McNee W. British Medical Journal, 2002.(external link)
- Our advice? Get a budget!. Brougham M, Metcalfe S and McNee W. Healthcare Papers, 2002.(external link)
- Changes to time trends for inhaled corticosteroid use and costs in New Zealand since April 2002. Metcalfe S. in preparation for NZ Medical Journal during 2003. [PDF, 754 KB]
1996 to 2001
- Are drugs interchangeable?. McNee W, Moodie P and Metcalfe S. The Lancet, 2000. [PDF, 57 KB]
- PHARMAC at what cost? Moodie P and McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2000.
- Managing pharmaceutical expenditure while increasing access: the Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) experience. Braae R, McNee W and Moore D. Pharmacoeconomics, 1999.(external link)
- Statins and PHARMAC. McNee W and Smart T. New Zealand Medical Journal, 1998.
- PHARMAC and statins. Bennett W and McNee W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 1998.
- PHARMAC and flutamide. Bennett W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 1998.
- Statins. Bennett W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 1998.
- Use of statins In New Zealand: subsidy of statins is limited to particular groups of patients. Bennett W, McNee W, Metcalfe S and Wright JM. British Medical Journal, 1997.(external link)
- Fluvastatin. Bennett W. New Zealand Medical Journal, 1997.
- Need and projected demand for lipid-modifying agents in New Zealand. Metcalfe S. prepared for British Medical Journal in 1996. [PDF, 314 KB]
The New Zealand Medical Association has kindly permitted us to republish items which were published in the New Zealand Medical Journal before 2009.