Funding of vitamin A oral liquid

Medicines Decision

We’re pleased to announce that PHARMAC has approved the use of the Exceptional Circumstances framework to provide funding of vitamin A oral liquid for a targeted group of patients.

What we’re doing

We’re pleased to announce that PHARMAC has approved the use of the Exceptional Circumstances framework to provide funding of vitamin A oral liquid for a targeted group of patients. The process used for the application and approval process is the same as that available for the funding of alpha tocopheryl acetate (Micelle E).

Clinicians submitting applications that meet the criteria will be notified with an EXCP Special Authority approval number and the patient will be able to obtain funded supplies from their nominated community pharmacy (this will generally NOT be a hospital pharmacy).

Download the application form [PDF, 221 KB]

Any relevant clinician can submit an application form for a patient meeting the following criteria:

Either:

  1. Cystic fibrosis patient; and

1.1. Patient has tried and failed the other available funded fat soluble vitamin A,D,E,K supplement (Vitabdeck); or,

    1.2. The other available funded fat soluble vitamin A,D,E,K supplement (Vitabdeck) is contra-indicated or clinically inappropriate for the patient.

    Or

    1.  All of the following:

    2.1. Infant or child with liver disease or short gut syndrome; and

    2.2. Requires vitamin supplementation; and

    2.3. Either:

    2.3.1. Patient has tried and failed the other available funded fat soluble vitamin A,D,E,K supplements (Vitabdeck); or,

    2.3.2. The other available funded fat soluble vitamin A,D,E,K supplement (Vitabdeck) is contra-indicated or clinically inappropriate for patient.

    Who we think will be most interested

    • Hospital pharmacies
    • Community pharmacies
    • Paediatric Society of New Zealand
    • The NZ Society of Gastroenterologists
    • Dieticians who work with paediatric patients
    • Cystic fibrosis NZ  

    Detail about this decision

    With the withdrawal by the supplier of Vitadol C (vitamins A with D and C) oral drops from the New Zealand market there was no funded oral solution form of Vitamin A. PHARMAC is aware that there is a group of patients for whom this treatment is required (and notes that generally this is the same patient group that also require Vitamin E oral solution).

    PHARMAC has been unable to source a suitable oral solution form of Vitamin A to consider listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. There is currently no Medsafe approved oral solution product in New Zealand. We are aware that pharmacies are able to purchase a compounded vitamin A 666.7 mcg per 2 drop, 10 ml liquid from Optimus Healthcare. In order to provide funded access to this important medicine PHARMAC will be using the Exceptional Circumstances framework to provide funding of extemporaneously compounded oral drops for this vulnerable group of patients. Optimus Healthcare can be contacted on 09 580 0915.

    Who to contact

    If you have any questions about this decision, you can: