5 July 2018
Fiona Thomson CEO GPNZ 88 The Terrace Level 2 WELLINGTON
Dear Fiona, Re: Update information for diabetes meters and test strips and PHARMAC diabetes exceptions process In November 2017 we notified you of our decision to fund an expanded range of CareSens meters and associated test strips. From 1 August 2018, CareSens meters and test strips will be the only fully funded blood glucose and ketone meters for people with diabetes. We expect that all patients needing to change from their current brand of meter and test strips to remain on a funded brand will have done so by 1 August 2018. There is more information to help prescribers with the change here. In November 2017, we also noted that we would provide diabetes healthcare professionals with information about the process to allow some people, who have specific clinical circumstances, to maintain funded access to their existing meter and test strips if considered clinically necessary. The diabetes exceptions process PHARMAC will consider exceptions applications for a blood glucose meter and test strips and/or ketone meters and test strips for patients with clinical circumstances, such as major mental health disorders or significant cognitive impairment, which mean that attempting to change their brand of funded meter and test strips is not clinically appropriate. How do I apply? Relevant practitioners will need to complete an application form and provide details of the clinical rationale for their patient’s inability to change from their current brand of meter and test strips. You may wish to consider whether it would be helpful to attach clinic letters which outline your patient’s clinical circumstances. These applications will be considered on a case by case basis. How do I prescribe approved alternative brands? If the application is approved, patients will be issued an individualised approval number to provide funded access to their current brand of test strips (and replacement meter, if required) – this is referred to as an ‘alternative brand’. Clinicians will be notified of this number by the Ministry of Health, Sector Operations. This approval number will need to be written on relevant prescriptions. Any eligible Medical Practitioner will be able to prescribe the relevant alternative brand of test strips (and meter, as applicable) for your patient under the conditions stated on the Sector Services approval letter.
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Where can approved alternative brands be dispensed? Patients will be able to obtain funded supplies of their alternative brand of test strips (and meter, as applicable) from the named pharmacy, nominated on the application form. How long will approval for alternative brands last? Funding of the test strips is anticipated to be ongoing and will be renewed every five years following confirmation to PHARMAC from the applicant that the patient still requires funded test strips and the test strips currently being used have not been discontinued. Replacement blood glucose or ketone meters will also be funded for each patient every five years, as required, pending the ongoing availability of the brand. If you have any further questions you can contact waivers@pharmac.govt.nz
Yours sincerely
Danae Staples-Moon Therapeutic Group Manager
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