Pharmac to fund two oestrogen patches
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123RF
People who need oestrogen patches will have access to two brands free of charge from 1 December.
Pharmac announced they had decided following consultation earlier this year to fund the oestradiol patches Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan.
Patients will be able to use either brand, "subject to availability".
Manager for pharmaceutical funding Adrienne Martin said the agency understood the importance for "people to have access to the treatment that works best for them".
"We've heard very clearly from many people that while different brands of patches should work the same, this is not everyone's experience.
"That's why we're funding two brands - so that people can access the oestradiol patches they need, depending on availability."
From 1 December, the other currently funded brands of oestradiol patches will no longer be funded.
The final decision followed a public backlash to Pharmac's
decision in November
to fund only the Mylan-brand, due to ongoing shortages of Estradot.
More than 1300 people signed a petition calling on the government to keep the Estradot brand available on the basis the Mylan-brand was less effective in controlling menopausal symptoms.
Martin said more than 1100 people responded to Pharmac's request for public feedback earlier this year.
"We heard from people who wanted us to remove the patch limit and change the dispensing rules," said Martin.
"We acknowledge how frustrating these limits are for people but changing or removing them would put pressure on demand, which would increase the risk of these patches not being available.
"We will review the patch limit and dispensing rules in 12 months depending on the supply outlook."
Pharmac would continue to monitor supply and work to ensure people can access the treatments they need, she said.
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