25 May 2018
Dear Joe
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Thank you for your request dated 27 April 2018 under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA)
for information relating to dispensed drugs, media and events. You asked for:
1. The top 100 dispensed drugs in New Zealand for 2017 (If all different strengths of the
medicine could just be counted as one, please).
RANK Chemical Name
Year Prescription items*
1
Paracetamol
2017 2,830,000
2
Omeprazole
2017 1,350,000
3
Atorvastatin
2017 1,290,000
4
Amoxicillin
2017 1,280,000
5
Aspirin
2017 1,240,000
6
Ibuprofen
2017 1,080,000
7
Metoprolol succinate
2017 970,000
8
Salbutamol
2017 940,000
9
Cilazapril
2017 800,000
10
Colecalciferol
2017 750,000
11
Prednisone
2017 690,000
12
Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid
2017 690,000
13
Metformin hydrochloride
2017 590,000
14
Zopiclone
2017 580,000
15
Levothyroxine
2017 570,000
16
Loratadine
2017 570,000
17
Simvastatin
2017 530,000
18
Codeine phosphate
2017 500,000
19
Cetirizine hydrochloride
2017 490,000
20
Diclofenac sodium
2017 470,000
21
Tramadol hydrochloride
2017 460,000
22
Felodipine
2017 460,000
23
Flucloxacillin
2017 460,000
24
Docusate sodium with sennosides
2017 450,000
25
Fluticasone propionate
2017 430,000
26
Allopurinol
2017 400,000
27
Furosemide [Frusemide]
2017 390,000
28
Amlodipine
2017 380,000
29
Citalopram hydrobromide
2017 360,000
30
Pharmacy Services
2017 360,000
31
Quinapril
2017 350,000
32
Paracetamol with codeine
2017 320,000
33
Blood glucose diagnostic test strip
2017 320,000
34
Fluticasone with salmeterol
2017 290,000
35
Candesartan cilexetil
2017 280,000
36
Bendroflumethiazide [Bendrofluazide]
2017 280,000
A1139924 - qA46517
37
Doxycycline
2017 280,000
38
Amitriptyline
2017 270,000
39
Fluoxetine hydrochloride
2017 260,000
40
Hydrocortisone butyrate
2017 260,000
41
Chloramphenicol
2017 260,000
42
Fluticasone
2017 250,000
43
Doxazosin
2017 240,000
44
Quetiapine
2017 240,000
45
Ethinyloestradiol with levonorgestrel
2017 240,000
46
Cilazapril with hydrochlorothiazide
2017 240,000
47
Naproxen
2017 220,000
48
Diltiazem hydrochloride
2017 220,000
49
Lactulose
2017 220,000
50
Warfarin sodium
2017 220,000
51
Venlafaxine
2017 220,000
52
Cetomacrogol with glycerol
2017 220,000
53
Hydrocortisone
2017 220,000
54
Roxithromycin
2017 210,000
55
Sodium Fusidate [fusidic acid]
2017 210,000
56
Losartan potassium
2017 210,000
57
Ondansetron
2017 210,000
58
Morphine sulphate
2017 210,000
59
Folic acid
2017 200,000
60
Pantoprazole
2017 200,000
61
Hydrocortisone with miconazole
2017 190,000
62
Dabigatran
2017 190,000
63
Budesonide with eformoterol
2017 180,000
64
Trimethoprim
2017 180,000
65
Clotrimazole
2017 180,000
66
Cefalexin
2017 180,000
67
Lorazepam
2017 170,000
68
Erythromycin ethyl succinate
2017 170,000
69
Gabapentin
2017 170,000
70
Nicotine
2017 170,000
71
Nortriptyline hydrochloride
2017 160,000
72
Escitalopram
2017 160,000
73
Hydrocortisone with natamycin and neomycin
2017 160,000
74
Gliclazide
2017 150,000
75
Trimethoprim with sulphamethoxazole [Co-trimoxazole] 2017 150,000
76
Oxycodone hydrochloride
2017 150,000
77
Vitamins
2017 140,000
78
Insulin glargine
2017 140,000
79
Clopidogrel
2017 140,000
80
Oestriol
2017 140,000
81
Metronidazole
2017 130,000
82
Loperamide hydrochloride
2017 130,000
83
Sertraline
2017 130,000
84
Cefaclor monohydrate
2017 130,000
85
Unknown
2017 120,000
86
Ferrous sulphate
2017 120,000
87
Ferrous fumarate
2017 120,000
88
Insulin pen needles
2017 120,000
89
Diazepam
2017 120,000
90
Bisoprolol fumarate
2017 120,000
91
Clobetasol propionate
2017 120,000
92
Metoclopramide hydrochloride
2017 120,000
93
Methylphenidate hydrochloride
2017 120,000
A1139924 - qA46517
2
94
Oil in water emulsion
2017 110,000
95
Hydroxocobalamin
2017 110,000
96
Paroxetine
2017 110,000
97
Prednisolone
2017 110,000
98
Celecoxib
2017 110,000
99
Betamethasone valerate
2017 110,000
100
Sodium valproate
2017 110,000
*Note that this table shows the number of prescriptions dispensed through community
pharmacies for each medicine (chemical) where the prescription has been publicly funded
via PHARMAC’s processes. PHARMAC does not have details about the private market. A
prescription which includes repeats is only counted once. Numbers have been rounded to
the nearest ten thousand.
2. The top 100 most expensive drugs publicly funded in New Zealand for 2017.
We have interpreted ‘most expensive’ as those medicines having the highest budgetary
impact per year. Data is outlined in the table below.
RANK
Chemical_Name
Year
Cost**
1
Adalimumab
2017
$79,670,000
2
Paritaprevir, ritonavir and ombitasvir with dasabuvir +/-
2017
$70,290,000
ribavirin
3
Trastuzumab
2017
$37,150,000
4
Dabigatran
2017
$35,800,000
5
Fluticasone with salmeterol
2017
$28,020,000
6
Etanercept
2017
$27,750,000
7
Insulin glargine
2017
$26,520,000
8
Pneumococcal (PCV13) vaccine
2017
$23,280,000
9
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and
2017
$23,190,000
haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine
10
Human papillomavirus (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58)
2017
$23,020,000
vaccine [HPV]
11
Abiraterone acetate
2017
$21,040,000
12
Pembrolizumab
2017
$20,670,000
13
Lenalidomide
2017
$20,370,000
14
Budesonide with eformoterol
2017
$18,730,000
15
Rituximab
2017
$16,450,000
16
Moroctocog alfa [Recombinant factor VIII]
2017
$15,940,000
17
Bortezomib
2017
$14,290,000
18
Blood glucose diagnostic test strip
2017
$13,090,000
19
Fingolimod
2017
$12,650,000
20
Epoetin alfa [Erythropoietin alfa]
2017
$12,460,000
21
Paliperidone
2017
$12,180,000
22
Octreotide LAR (somatostatin analogue)
2017
$11,250,000
23
Pneumococcal (PCV10) vaccine
2017
$11,230,000
24
Efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
2017
$11,200,000
25
Lamotrigine
2017
$10,810,000
26
Emtricitabine with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
2017
$9,850,000
27
Olanzapine
2017
$9,550,000
A1139924 - qA46517
3
28
Mesalazine
2017
$9,380,000
29
Sodium valproate
2017
$9,360,000
30
Dasatinib
2017
$8,830,000
31
Tiotropium bromide
2017
$8,260,000
32
Salbutamol
2017
$7,930,000
33
Zoledronic acid
2017
$7,790,000
34
Dolutegravir
2017
$7,520,000
35
Entecavir
2017
$7,490,000
36
Oral feed (powder)
2017
$7,090,000
37
Insulin aspart
2017
$7,070,000
38
Pegfilgrastim
2017
$6,960,000
39
Fluticasone furoate with vilanterol
2017
$6,940,000
40
Imatinib mesilate
2017
$6,640,000
41
Metoprolol succinate
2017
$6,360,000
42
Fluticasone
2017
$6,330,000
43
Influenza vaccine
2017
$6,280,000
44
Varenicline tartrate
2017
$6,250,000
45
Amino acid formula
2017
$5,770,000
46
Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release
2017
$5,400,000
47
Aripiprazole
2017
$5,320,000
48
Solifenacin succinate
2017
$5,100,000
49
Sunitinib
2017
$5,090,000
50
Enoxaparin sodium
2017
$5,060,000
51
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
2017
$4,910,000
52
Dimethyl fumarate
2017
$4,810,000
53
Pertuzumab
2017
$4,640,000
54
Natalizumab
2017
$4,570,000
55
Ticagrelor
2017
$4,510,000
56
Paracetamol
2017
$4,500,000
57
Ibuprofen
2017
$4,500,000
58
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
2017
$4,500,000
59
Insulin aspart with insulin aspart protamine
2017
$4,490,000
60
Gabapentin
2017
$4,490,000
61
Tacrolimus
2017
$4,490,000
62
Omeprazole
2017
$4,420,000
63
Venlafaxine
2017
$4,400,000
64
Risperidone
2017
$4,380,000
65
Ledipasvir with sofosbuvir
2017
$4,330,000
66
Raltegravir potassium
2017
$4,210,000
67
Ciclosporin
2017
$4,040,000
68
Atorvastatin
2017
$4,010,000
69
Levothyroxine
2017
$3,910,000
70
Goserelin
2017
$3,810,000
71
Umeclidinium
2017
$3,790,000
72
Betamethasone dipropionate with calcipotriol
2017
$3,740,000
73
Nivolumab
2017
$3,670,000
A1139924 - qA46517
4
74
Nicotine
2017
$3,670,000
75
Nilotinib
2017
$3,560,000
76
Flecainide acetate
2017
$3,560,000
77
Levonorgestrel
2017
$3,440,000
78
Pancreatic enzyme
2017
$3,440,000
79
Morphine sulphate
2017
$3,420,000
80
Levetiracetam
2017
$3,370,000
81
Insulin isophane with insulin neutral
2017
$3,290,000
82
Insulin lispro
2017
$3,290,000
83
Azacitidine
2017
$3,230,000
84
Insulin isophane
2017
$3,180,000
85
Buprenorphine with naloxone
2017
$3,180,000
86
Nonacog alfa [Recombinant factor IX]
2017
$3,120,000
87
Pazopanib
2017
$3,100,000
88
Rotavirus live reassortant oral vaccine
2017
$3,050,000
89
Insulin pump
2017
$3,040,000
90
Insulin lispro with insulin lispro protamine
2017
$3,030,000
91
Warfarin sodium
2017
$2,990,000
92
Cilazapril
2017
$2,990,000
93
Apomorphine hydrochloride
2017
$2,950,000
94
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
2017
$2,850,000
95
Somatropin (Omnitrope)
2017
$2,810,000
96
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine
2017
$2,800,000
97
Obinutuzumab
2017
$2,760,000
98
Adult diphtheria and tetanus vaccine
2017
$2,730,000
99
Topiramate
2017
$2,730,000
100
Alendronate sodium with colecalciferol
2017
$2,710,000
**Costs are gross and exclude GST and any confidential rebates. Costs have been rounded
to the nearest $10,000.
3. How many meetings did you have with MP's listed by their names and parties they
represent for 2016 and 2017.
2016
• Two meetings with Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman (National) as Minister of Health
• One meeting with Hon Peter Dunne (United Future) as Associate Minister of Health
2017
• Three meetings with Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman (National) as Minister of Health
• Two meetings with Hon Peter Dunne as Associate Minister of Health
• One meeting with the Minister of Health Hon Dr David Clark (Labour) as Minister of
Health
• One meeting with Julie-Anne Genter (Green Party) and Louisa Wall (Labour Party) as
Associate Ministers of Health
We have excluded attendances at Select Committee meetings.
A1139924 - qA46517
5
We also held parliamentary briefings in 2016 and 2017 to which we invited all MPs – details
of these are set out below (question 5).
4. How many media briefings/meetings have you had for 2016 and 2017 listed by media
outlets, the topic of the briefing/meeting, and journalist/s attended.
We have interpreted your question to mean background or off-the-record meetings and
briefings with journalists, outside of requested interviews with PHARMAC staff. As such, we
have not counted interviews with journalists in the response below.
There were no media briefings in 2016 or 2017. PHARMAC held one press conference, in
May 2016. We do not hold a record of which journalists attended this press conference.
5. How many events did PHARMAC hold in 2016 and 2017, listed by the number of
attendees, amount of money spent on each event and the topic of those events.
You clarified by email (11 May 2018) that you wanted all parliamentary functions and
educational seminars, listed by number of attendees, amount of money spent on
each event and the topic of those events.
Parliamentary functions
Parliamentary briefing
• Date: 28 June 2016
• Number of attendees: 6 MPs and 6 PHARMAC representatives
• Cost: $306.03 (catering)
• Topic: PHARMAC’s work and current priorities
Parliamentary briefing
• Date: 12 April 2017
• Number of attendees: 19 MPs and 7 PHARMAC representatives
• Cost: $542.36 (catering)
• Topic: PHARMAC recent activity and future focus
Educational seminars
PHARMAC hosts health professional training seminars that provide evidence-based
education that contribute to Continuing Professional Development points that are required by
health practitioners to continue their practice in New Zealand. Education is provided by New
Zealand specialists in their fields ensuring primary care practitioners are up-to-date with
relevant medical understanding and knowledge.
Costs are between $12,000 and $15,000 per seminar, including the videoing of the seminars;
approximately $3000 of the total cost per seminar is contributed by attendees. Attendees are
a range of health professionals such as GPs, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners,
midwives, dietitians etc. Between 30 - 35 attendees join the seminars face to face. In addition
to attendance at each seminar, people can view these seminars online, and health
professionals can also obtain Continuing Professional Development credits for viewing
videos. In 2016 the videos received 17,529 views. In 2017 there were 18,314 views.
2016 seminar topics
• Prostate cancer
• Clinical pharmacology for nurses - mental health, obesity
• Adolescent health
A1139924 - qA46517
6
• Assessing and managing the neonate
• Health and wellbeing for health professionals
• Polypharmacy
• Insomnia and sleep problems
• Clinical pharmacology for nurses 2
• Travel medicine
• Assessing and managing the neonate (Hamilton)
• Palliative care
• Paediatrics and immunisation
• Management of diabetes in primary care
• Clinical pharmacology - gastro, eyes
• Assessing maternity conditions
2017 seminar topics
• Clinical pharmacology for nurses
• NZ Asthma guidelines update
• Polypharmacy and deprescribing
• Health and wellbeing for health professionals
• Assessing and managing the neonate
• Osteoporosis and menopause
• Travel medicine (advanced)
• Paediatric allergy
• Dementia update
• Cardiovascular update
• Insulin pump workshop
• Clinical pharmacology for nurses
• Diversity and inclusive primary healthcare
• Adolescent health
• Maternal mental health and complex antenatal conditions
• Movement disorders and Parkinson's disease
More information about our seminars and how they work can be found on our website,
here. We trust that the provision of these documents answers your queries, if you have any further
questions please feel free to contact us again.
Yours sincerely
Janet Mackay
Acting Director, Engagement and Implementation
A1139924 - qA46517
7
