News

A randomized trial compared oral ivermectin with 5% permethrin for treating scabies in index cases and household clusters of up to eight people 1 . Ivermectin 200 µg/kg was taken with food on days 0 and 10, while permethrin was applied head-to-toe, including hair, genitalia, and children’s faces, left on overnight, and washed off after at least eight hours. Emollients and textile decontamination were advised. Children under 15 kg received permethrin only.  Cluster-level cure rates were...

Kia ora koutou,   This is a quick reminder that our initial consultation questionnaire regarding the review of Ngā paerewa Health and disability services standard 2021  (Ngā Paerewa) will close in two weeks on 16 March 2026 .   If you have already submitted your feedback, thank you for your time and please disregard this email.   We acknowledge that this is a relatively short consultation window. We want to reassure you that this is an initial questionnaire only. Its purpose is to help the...

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 27 February 2026. It includes information on:  New updates Resolved Supply Issues Changes to Antiretroviral Dispensing – Effective 1 March 2026 From 1 March 2026, all listed antiretroviral  (community schedule)  treatments will default to 90‑day dispensing and may be prescribed and dispensed accordingly where appropriate.  Improving access to treatments in the...

We are writing to remind you that clomipramine capsules 10mg will be delisted (no longer funded.)   Key Points: The delist date from the Pharmaceutical Schedule is 1 April 2026 Clomipramine 25mg tablets will remain available and listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule Please continue to consider alternative options for patients that require the lower 10mg dose     Please share this information with your colleagues and within your networks. If you have any queries, please contact us at...

We’re consulting on upcoming changes to how the Pharmaceutical Schedule will work. Changes to how the Pharmaceutical Schedule will work  (consultation closes 13 March 2026) New medicine supply notices Pedialyte: Claiming update   Urgent action required: Pharmacies need to check any claims they made for Pedialyte in February 2026. See the website for more details. Ticagrelor (Tab 90 mg)  (Pharmacode: 2638770) The supplier anticipates running out in mid-March. A S29 alternative has been listed...

Please see the AWHC Newsletter attached.