Pharmac Decision: Removal of Special Authority renewal requirements from selected medicines and products

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

• Epoetin alfa for chronic renal failure

• Budesonide capsules for Crohn’s disease and microscopic colitis

• Febuxostat for gout

  
  

More information about Pharmac’s decision is available at: 

• Decision to remove Special Authority renewal requirements on selected medicines and products

• This decision supports changes to the Pharmaceutical Schedule rules to support increased prescription lengths

We’re grateful to everyone who shared their views during consultation. Your feedback helped shape this decision.

We want to make sure that everyone who needs to know about this decision is aware of it. Please share this information with people you think might be interested.

Ngā mihi

Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz