Clinical Matters Newsletter - June 2022 30 Jun 2022
Welcome to the June Edition of Clinical Matters!
In this issue...
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Changes to Paracetamol Oral Liquid
Kia ora,
Pharmac has been working to secure the supply of paracetamol oral liquid and manage the available stock.
Both strengths of funded paracetamol oral liquid are currently supplied by API. API is leaving the New Zealand market. We have been looking for new suppliers for all medicines that API currently supply.
API Consumer Brands market exit - Pharmac website
Schedule resitrction from 1 June 2022
There has been an increase in demand for both strengths of paracetamol oral liquid due to COVID-19. A Schedule restriction for both strengths will be in plce from 1 June 2022 to help manage current stock levels.
From 1 June 2022
- A maximum of 600ml Paracare or Paracare Double Strength can be prescribed per prescription. Patients with long term conditions who need regular daily dosing can be prescribed quantities greater than 600ml by endorsement.
- A maximum of 200ml Paracare or Paracare Double Strength can be dispensed for non-endorsed patients, dispensed by repeating dispensing if the amount prescribed exceeds 200 ml.
- Stat (all-at-once) dispensing will be removed from Paracare and Paracare Double Strength
We have secured a long-term supply of paracetamol oral liquid through tender process. This decision means there will be a change to the current funded brands of paracetamol oral liquid.
- From 1 November 2022, the funded brand of paracetamol 250 mg per 5 ml oral liquid will be Pamol
- From 1 January 2023, the funded brand of paracetamol 120 mg per 5 ml oral liquid will be Paracetamol (Ethics)
The new brands will have the same flavours as the current brands - strawberry for lower strength and orange for the higher strength. Both strengths will be colour free, supplied with a child resistant cap, and will come in 200ml bottles.
Changing to a 200ml pack size has a number of advantages for most people, including dispensing in original packs for the majority of dispensing. However, we are aware this change may cause challenges for some, especially people who use oral paracetamol liquid regularly and their caregivers. We welcome feedback on ways we can help address this while ensuring supply for all of Aotearoa New Zealand.
May 2022 tender notification - Pharmac website
Further information
We will keep the medicine notices section of the Pharmac website up to date as these changes are made.
Paracetamol oral liquid medicine notice - Pharmac website
Please share this information
We want to make sure that everyone who needs to know about these changes is aware of them. Please share this information with your colleagues.
GP Representative for Paediatric Clinical Governance Group Sought (Paid Position)
The paediatric clinical governance group needs a GP to provide primary care input to their group on Tuesday afternoons between 2pm-4pm every second month.
The work includes reviewing pathways and referral metrics and is remunerated at $150 per hour.
If you are interested in applying, please email baynav@bopdhb.govt.nz with your contact details.
Child Development Service Referral Criteria Update
Please see the new BPAC referral for Child Development Services that went live this month:
Medical Reports Requested under Section 40 of the Coroners Act 2006
Click here to read the latest regarding the Ministry of Justice's work to implement payments to doctors for completing medical reports requested by a coroner under section 40 of the Coroners Act 2006.
New Bay Navigator Website Now Live!
You can view our new website here
- Health Pathways have been reformatted - but the information remains the same.
- Clinical Resources is where both information resources and referrals and advice are now kept.
- Planned Care Services remain under the same heading.
The new website is now mobile-friendly, making it easier to access the information you need, when you need it. Some search functions are still being finalised and will be completed shortly.
If you have any questions or feedback regarding the new website you can contact the team at baynav@bopdhb.govt.nz
Tauranga Spirometry Workshop 1-2 September 2022
Work as part of a small group to learn the theoretical and practical fundamentals of this important lung function test. Gain the confidence to perform spirometry accurately and safely with your patients, allowing your practice to care for patients with a greater level of diagnostic certainty. This course is presented by Tauranga Hospital Respiratory Physiologists and follows the Australian and NZ Society of Respiratory Science guidelines for spirometry training.
WHO: Practice Nurses, and anyone in the community who wants or needs to perform spirometry. Attendees should have access to a working spirometer, and calibration syringe.
WHERE: Tauranga Hospital Education Centre, 889 Cameron Rd via Gate 9
WHEN: 1st and 2nd September 2022, 9am 4pm
BRING: Your spirometer
COST: $575 inc GST
WHAT: A two day workshop including theory and practical practice; workbook, lunch and morning/afternoon tea supplied. Performance of patient spirometry in your workplace after the workshop is required to receive your course certificate. The course will cover:
- Anatomy/Physiology
- ATS/ERS guidelines
- Calibration
- Practical work
- Acceptability and repeatability
- Quality control
- Case studies
- Interpretation
For further information, please contact Hamish at hamish.collie@bopdhb.govt.nz
Click here to view the form to register
Accuretic Supply Distribution Notification
Accuretic is a medicine used to treat 36,000 New Zealanders with high blood pressure. We are wanting to advise health care professionals that supply in New Zealand is about to be disrupted. People using Accuretic will need to get a new prescription to change to an alternative high blood pressure medicine.
We know that our healthcare sector is currently under a huge amount of strain, and that changing this many people to alternative treatments will add to that strain. We are asking clinicians to move their patients to a suitable alternative medicine as soon as possible, and we really appreciate the support that we know that both clinicians and pharmacists will provide to their patients.
There is more information on Pharmac’s website about the issue and what support is available. We will continue to update healthcare professionals and the public through our website, adding relevant information as it becomes available.”
Note we have been advised by General Practice NZ that funding will be available to enable patients who are currently prescribed Accuretic to access free of charge general practice appointments in order to switch medications. They are working with Pharmac to agree fees and a claiming process ASAP.
General Practice NZ had hoped for more advance notification for the sector but unfortunately that has not happened. hey understand the resourcing pressures across primary care right now and have reiterated these with colleagues at PHARMAC.
Health Coaches and Health Improvement Practitioners
Health Coaches and Health Improvement Practitioners are available free of charge for patients throughout the EBOP. They can see patients at the GP practice if room is available or do home visits if needed. Please see the following links for more information.
Using a Health Coach
Tips for using Health Improvement Practitioners
Midland HealthPathways Update
The following pathways are now live on our HealthPathways site for you to use:
And remember there is up-to-date information on all matters Covid-19 for primary care on Health Pathways, including national as well as local information.
HealthPathways is a collection of management guidelines specifically tailored to primary care. Our GP Liaison team is in the process of 'localising' these pathways to the Bay of Plenty, i.e, making them relevant to GPs and other primary care providers specifically in the Bay of Plenty. You'll find valuable pointers on history, examination, treatment and of course when and how to refer patients on to other services. These pathways will, over time, be replacing the Bay Navigator pathways.