AFT Pharmaceuticals, the Auckland-based drug-maker, will have to re-apply to Pharmac for a heart medicine supply contract it won in July 2015 after suffering disrupted supply over the past year.
In 2015, AFT was awarded the sole supply contract for metoprolol succinate, a beta-blocker used to treat angina, high blood pressure and heart failure, with the deal set to run from July 2016 until June 30, 2018. Today, Pharmac put out a request for proposals (RFP) for sole and dual supply of four strengths of the tablets for community pharmacies and district health board hospitals.
"Ongoing disruption to the continuity of supply of Metoprolol-AFT CR has occurred over the past six to 12 months, causing significant inconvenience to patients and pharmacy," Pharmac's RFP says. "Pharmac has been working with AFT and other suppliers to organise additional stocks of metoprolol succinate to ensure continuity of supply.
"Notwithstanding the outcome of the request for tender issued in April 2015, Pharmac is now in a position to open a new competitive process to seek bids for sole and dual supply of metoprolol succinate tablets in both the community and DHB hospitals; so that Pharmac may assess the options available to secure continuity of supply for metoprolol succinate in New Zealand."
AFT said it supports Pharmac's decision after international shortages of the drug were experienced this year and will lodge a proposal. Metoprolol represents around 4 per cent of AFT's revenues, it said. In the six months to September 30, AFT reported operating revenue rose 1 per cent to $29.8 million, led by sales in Australia while New Zealand sales dropped 10 per cent due to timing issues and product supply shortages.