26th March 2020 Subject: Special Authority Criteria for PrEP PHARMAC has received a number of requests from DHBs regarding the Special Authority criteria for PrEP (emtricitabine tab 200 mg with tenofovir disoproxil 245 mg). Currently, one of the Special Authority criteria is that the patient must undergo a full STI screen (SA1842) in order to access funded PrEP. However, due to increased COVID-19 testing, it is becoming impractical to conduct a full STI screen. As such, PHARMAC are waiving this part of the criteria from today 26 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. These dates will then be reviewed and extended if deemed appropriate. This means that you can now apply for Special Authority for PrEP for your patients without conducting a full STI screen. This decision is effective from today. The Pharmaceutical Schedule and corresponding Special Authority form will be amended to reflect this change from 1 April 2020. Until this date, you can apply for your patients to access funded PrEP without a full STI screen via Special Authority waiver, by emailing the completed Special Authority form with the full STI screen crossed out to waivers@pharmac.govt.nz. Please note that HIV and syphilis testing, as well as Hepatitis B testing if not immune, will still be required for Special Authority approval. If you have any questions about this process please email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz so that our enquiries team can assist you. Many thanks Ngā mihinui Greg
Gregory Evans | Medical Adviser Registrar ____________________________________________________
PHARMAC | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | PO Box 10 254 | Level 10, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington P: +64 4 830 1672 | P: +64 4 460 4990 | M: +64 (0) 21539952 | www.pharmac.govt.nz He hauora te taonga – health is wealth