Thalidomide Dispensing Extended to Community Pharmacies

Certified community pharmacies will soon be able to dispense the cancer treatment thalidomide. Thalidomide is used to treat multiple myeloma - a cancer of the bone marrow - and amyloidosis.

Currently, people taking thalidomide pick up their medicine from their hospital but next month, they'll be able to pick it up from some community pharmacies, making it easier to access their medicine. According to the latest Pharmaceutical schedule update, the restriction on thalidomide will change from pharmaceutical cancer treatment (PCT) only to retail pharmacy - specialist, meaning that it can be claimed from community pharmacies.

From 1 August, only pharmacies registered with drug manufacturer Celgene's risk management programme, i-access, and Celgene's ordering portal will be able to dispense thalidomide. If pharmacies are already dispensing thalidomide-derivative lenalidomide, they will be able to dispense thalidomide without further training.

Some patients may choose to pick up their thalidomide from the community pharmacy part way through the prescription. In this case, the hospital pharmacy will make a certified true copy of the prescription and give the original prescription back to the patient for it to be dispensed in community pharmacy.

The usual co-payment will apply for the first community pharmacy dispensing in this situation.

The Special Authority number will not change for existing patients. The only change will be the prefix, it will change from PCTX (which is used for DHB PCT-only Special Authorities) to CHEM (which is used in community).

The Ministry of Health Sector Operations will be working to make sure the Special Authorities work.

To learn more about registering to dispense and order thalidomide, contact Celgene on 0800 526 529 or visit www.iaccesscelgene.com.

Source: www.pharmacytoday.co.nz/news/2017/july-2017/25/take-a-look-at-thalidomide-dispensing-extended-to-community-pharmacies.aspx, viewed 26 July 2017