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From 1 November 2025, Pharmac will be updating its rare disorders policy principles by broadening the definition of a rare disorder. The new definition will be: “a medical condition with a specific pattern of clinical signs, symptoms and findings that affects fewer than or equal to 1 in 2,000 people in Aotearoa New Zealand.” This change aligns Pharmac’s policy with the Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy 2024 and reflects the feedback we received from stakeholders a

We want your feedback on a proposal to fund silver diamine fluoride for people accessing dental services through Health New Zealand public hospitals, and the ‘Health New Zealand Community Oral Health Service’ for children and some adolescents. Silver diamine fluoride is a topical dental treatment, combining ionic silver and fluoride. It can stop the progression of existing cavities and reduce tooth sensitivity. It is used in hospitals and community dental clinics and can only

Please see below link to job vacancy: Tautoko - Administration - Career - View Job - Registered Nurse (Oncology)

Welcome to the latest update from the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora on the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products.   This newsletter includes updates on the following:  ·         Important policy decisions on the Medical Products Bill   ·         Community pharmacy ownership  ·         Advertising   ·         Statutory timeframes  ·         Offences and penalties  ·         Medical products regulator  ·         Medical products exports  ·   

Kia ora   We are writing to inform you of a supply issue.   Key messages The supplier Pfizer has informed us that Depo-Testosterone will be in short supply from late-October to mid-December 2025. Pfizer has been unable to source an alternative bioequivalent product. Please consider not starting any new patients on Depo-Testosterone for the supply issue period Clinical advice has told us - prescribers may wish to consider alternative funded testosterone products , such as Rean

There has been a theoretical concern that the starting DOACs after an ischaemic stroke with known AF may cause an increase in haemorrhagic transformation of the acute infarct. A review of four RCTs examining the question of starting within the first 4 days or waiting 5 or more days 1 . There was an improvement of the primary outcome, a composite of recurrent ischaemic stroke, symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage 30 days 57 cases (2.1%) versus 83 (3.0%). This an NNT of 111 c

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 17 October 2025. It includes information on:  New updates Resolved Supply Issues Pharmac has confirmed changes to Special Authority renewal requirements for selected medicines and products.From 1 December 2025, Pharmac will remove the need to renew Special Authority approvals for the following treatments: Insulin pump consumables for type 1 diabetes

Humapen Savvio: Update  Eli Lilly has made changes to how it supplies its Humapen Savvio insulin pen.  Imiquimod: New look  (Pharmacode: 2543907) Imiquimod is changing packaging style from a sachet to a "stick". Pictures and a patient flyer are available. Rizatriptan (Rizamelt) dispersible tab 10 mg  (Pharmacode: 2394634) Due to an increase in demand and delays at the factory, there is a supply issue affecting Rizamelt tablets.  Rosuvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg tablets)  Via

Kia ora, Pharmac is now consulting publicly on a proposal to bring greater clarity and transparency to how we manage medicine funding applications on the Options for Investment (OFI) list. We’re proposing to decline some of the lowest-ranked applications that have remained on the OFI list for more than two years, as they are unlikely to be funded under current priorities. This change aims to help people better understand our funding intentions and support more informed decisi

Issue 331 - 16 October 2025 Welcome to the fortnightly Health Improvement and Innovation Digest. The Digest has links to key evidence of interest, with access to new content arranged by topic. You can forward this newsletter to others who may be interested in receiving it. They can register and subscribe here . You can also access other recent issues of the digest here. If you have any queries, please email us at  library@health.govt.nz . Article Access For articles that aren

Pharmac has confirmed changes to Special Authority renewal requirements for selected medicines and products. From 1 December 2025, Pharmac will remove the need to renew Special Authority approvals for the following treatments: Insulin pump consumables for type 1 diabetes Continuous glucose monitors (interoperable and standalone) for type 1 diabetes Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonists with Long-acting Beta-Adrenoceptor Agonists (LAMA/LABA inhalers) for respiratory conditions Ep

Welcome to the latest update from the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora on the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products.   This newsletter includes updates on the following:  Important policy decisions on the Medical Products Bill   Community pharmacy ownership  Advertising   Statutory timeframes  Offences and penalties  Medical products regulator  Medical products exports  Supporting innovation under the Medical Products Bill  Natural health prod

Medicinal cannabis products that meet the minimum quality standard The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) set the minimum quality standard that medicinal cannabis products and ingredients must meet before they can be supplied in New Zealand. Importers, manufacturers, and suppliers must apply for assessment and provide evidence to the Medicinal Cannabis Agency to verify that their products meet the minimum quality standard. Helius NZ Maya T

Coming up in CPD: Goodfellow Symposium 2026 21/22 March 2026: Curated specifically for Primary Care:  Check it out here . Breast health in midlife: Risk assessment & cancer detection WEBINAR 21 October: Magdalena Biggar, Carla Pajak and Sugania Reddy in this comprehensive session on midlife breast health. Register here Back to basics: Sun, sunscreen, skin cancer prevention WEBINAR 28 October: Dr Sam Mayhew, GP Specialist and Skin Cancer Doctor, on skin cancer prevention. Regi

We are writing to inform you that Pharmac is expecting a constrained supply of oxytocin injection 10 IU per mL, 1 mL ampoule (Pharmacode:...

Kia ora koutou Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston has announced that the Government has accepted all 14 of the recommendations made by the review by Dame Karen Poutasi in 2022. The Government response is focused on strengthening the children’s system, and improving safeguards, to protect against and better respond to child harm.   Child and youth ministers will oversee implementation of the integrated government response and drive work at pace to deliver on all 14

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week...

Candesartan cilexetil (Candestar) Tab 32 mg  (Pharmacode: 2380439) Due to delays at the factory, the supplier is out of stock of this...

This link  will take you to the proposal to enter into an agreement with Obex Medical Limited (“Obex”) for medical devices in the...

From the 1 November 2025, Pharmac will be widening access to ticagrelor, a blood-thinning medicine that helps prevent blood clots, for...