Pharmac

Please see below updates from Pharmac.

Funding changes

1. Escitalopram 10mg tablets

Reminder of Coversyl change of salt

1. Perindopril erbumine to Perindopril arginine 

Reminder of discontinuation

1. Epilim tab 100mg crushable 

1.Changes to funded Escitalopram 10mg tablets

From 1 February 2027, Ipca-Escitalopram 10 mg and 20 mg tablets will be the only funded brands of escitalopram listed (funded) on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. As a result, the currently listed escitalopram (Ethics) brand of 10 mg tablets will be delisted (no longer funded) from this date.

This change is expected to have limited impact on most patients, as the majority of people currently receiving escitalopram are already taking the Ipca-Escitalopram brand. However, patients receiving the escitalopram (Ethics) brand will need to transition to Ipca-Escitalopram by 1 February 2027.

We recognise that a small number of people may be unable to transition to the funded Ipca-Escitalopram brand for clinical reasons, such as having previously experienced clinically significant issues with the Ipca-Escitalopram brand, or have a known allergy to an excipient in that brand that would make this clinically unsuitable. In these circumstances, prescribers can apply through the Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) pathway for funded access to an alternate brand such as escitalopram (Ethics). Applications can be submitted ahead of the delisting date (1 February 2027) to ensure timely assessment and continuity of funded supply for impacted people.

NPPA is currently the appropriate pathway for requesting funded access to an alternate brand. While the NPPA guidance on our webpage may suggest that patients should have trialled all funded alternatives, Pharmac recognises that trialling alternative SSRIs or other antidepressants may not be clinically appropriate in some cases. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and prescribers should not be discouraged from applying where there is a clinical need for continued access to escitalopram (Ethics).

Further information is available on the NPPA webpage, if prescribers have questions, they can contact the NPPA team directly at nppa@pharmac.govt.nz or phone 0800 660 050 (option 2).

1.Reminder of Coversyl tablets change of salt Due to global alignment and to ensure continuity of supply, Coversyl containing perindopril erbumine will be replaced with Coversyl containing perindopril arginine. This is a permanent change to the arginine salt.

• The new Perindopril arginine tablets were listed (funded) from 1 September 2026

• Please transition your patients currently on Coversyl 2 mg and 8 mg tablets to the equivalent perindopril arginine strengths (Coversyl 2.5 mg and 10 mg respectively) from 1 September.

• Coversyl 4 mg tablets will remain available longer. Please transition these patients to the equivalent Coversyl 5mg tablets from late October.

• More information can be found Coversyl on Pharmac website

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1.Reminder of discontinuation: Sodium valproate (Epilim) 100mg crushable tabletsThe supplier Sanofi has notified Pharmac of the discontinuation of sodium valproate (Epilim brand) 100mg crushable tablets. Please transition affected patients to an alternative treatment as soon as possible. For more information see Epilim discontinuation on Pharmac website

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If you have any questions regarding these updates, please contact enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.

Ngā mihi,

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Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga

PO Box 10-254, Wellington 6140 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington 6011P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz