What’s in this issue?
PRIMARY CARE CLINICAL DIGEST MARCH 1 2024
Immunisation Pānui February 29 2024
Measles Media Release February 27 2024
Invitation: Building the Future of Health Stakeholder Virtual Hui
Cilazapril Delisted from January 1 2025
Methylphenidate (Concerta and Ritalin LA) Amendment to Special Authority and Supply Constraint)
Hauora Taiwhenua Newsletter February 2024
Expansion of Parallel Assessment Pathway
Hira Programme Update February 2024
Tender Results February 2024
Current Updates: Pharmacists and Prescribers
Top Weekend Viewing
Immunisation Pānui
February 29 2024
View online
Measles Media Release
February 27 2024
Media release here
Invitation: Building the Future of Health Stakeholder
Virtual Hui
View online
Cilazapril Delisted from January 1 2025
View online
Methylphenidate (Concerta and Ritalin LA) Amendment to Special Authority and Supply Constraint)
To view the latest Immunisation Pānui, see the attached link.
See recent media release attached in relation to potential measles contacts.
Te Whatu Ora has reinstated the Measles Locations of Interest (LOIs) in New Zealand page on their website which includes key links to additional measles information housed on the Health NZ and info.health.nz websites.
In addition, a banner alert has been placed on the homepages of both sites to notify people of the update, and further information on the diagnosis and management of measles can be found on Healthpathways and within the Communicable Disease Control Manual.
The CEs at Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora are holding a ‘Building the future of health’ virtual hui on March 6 at 9.00am – 9.45am.
To learn more and to register attendance, please see attached link.
See attached link to Pharmac’s update on Cilazapril being delisted in 2025.
From March 1 2024 the Special Authority criteria for Concerta and Ritalin LA will be amended. This will remove the criterion allowing treatment initiation on to Concerta or Ritalin LA if unable to access Teva-ER due to supply issues. This is because all strengths of Methylphenidate
Hauora Taiwhenua Newsletter
February 2024
See newletter here
Expansion of Parallel Assessment Pathway
View online
Hira Programme Update
February 2024
See the update here
ER - Teva, are available again, and supply of Concerta is constrained.
There is pressure on the supply of Concerta, particularly the 27 mg strength. This strength is expected to be constrained from mid-March 2024 and over the following months. Pharmac working closely with Janssen, the supplier of Concerta, to understand the supply outlook and any improvements in supply that can be made.
For prescribers: Methylphenidate ER – Teva can once again be prescribed when starting people on methylphenidate. All strengths of this brand have been back in stock since November 2023. People who were originally prescribed the Teva brand and who have moved to Concerta should be transitioned back. Please reassure affected people that clinical advice indicates it is safe to transition between the Concerta and Teva-ER brands. If an individual’s approval for Methylphenidate ER – Teva has lapsed, you are encouraged to apply for a renewal if eligible, to enable them to return to the Teva brand.
For pharmacies: All strengths of Methylphenidate – ER Teva are available. Please ensure that people who have been changed to Concerta due to supply issues with Teva-ER in September/October 2023 move back to Teva ER, so that individuals who only have a Special Authority approval for Concerta can continue to access this brand. If Special Authority approval for the Teva brand has lapsed, renewal applications will need to be submitted by their prescriber, in line with the eligibility criteria. Please reassure affected individuals that clinical advice indicates it is safe to transition between the Teva and Concerta brands.
For more information, please visit Methylphenidate ER supply issue or any questions, contact enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
The Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network newsletter is attached for your information.
See the attached link on how Pharmac is changing how they accept funding applications for new medicines to speed up the assessment process.
If you have an interest in the Hira Programme, please the latest update on programme activities, please see the attached update or access this link Hira Programme.
Tender Results
February 2024
Current Updates:
Pharmacists View online
Prescribers View online
Please follow this link to the Pharmac website for the February 2024 Tender Notification.
Please see attached links to view current Pharmac updates.
Top Weekend Viewing Going with some of TVNZ+ top picks this week, and all these series begin with ‘The’ coincidentally!
The Castaways - Erin goes to Fiji to look for answers when the credit card of her missing sister is used on a remote Pacific island. View trailer
The Tourist - In the Australian Outback, a devastating road accident renders a man memoryless and sets him on a path to remember his past with limited clues and a band of mysterious people hunting him.
View trailer
The Beautiful Lie - Anna, a young woman, has a happy married life. However, when she meets a man, the course of her life is changed. Based on Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. View trailer