KEY POINTS:
Parents whose children suffered adverse effects after a switch from the drug Ritalin to a cheaper alternative have won a partial backdown from Pharmac.
The Government drug agency is to reinstate Ritalin subsidies for patients who experienced problems with the generic replacement, Rubifen.
The medicine safety authority Medsafe ordered Pharmac to make the change after 88 reports of adverse reactions in patients since the switch in April.
The drug is prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Torbay mother Di Celliers, who had campaigned to have the subsidy reinstated, welcomed the decision.
"That's brilliant news ... There'll be parents jumping up and down with glee, I can tell you, all over the country, they'll just be so happy."
Her 9-year-old son Grant had been taking Ritalin for ADHD but his behaviour rapidly spiralled out of control when he switched to Rubifen. He was eventually stood down from school. Mrs Celliers resorted to paying the full price for Ritalin, which cost $50 a month.
Other children with more severe ADHD might have paid more than $100 a month. About 6000 patients are prescribed the drug.
Medsafe interim manager Dr Stewart Jessamine said more than half of the 88 notifications to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring reported reduced effects. But a number of patients, in particular children under 17, developed unusual side-effects, including mood disorders, irritability and aggression.
Dr Jessamine said because of the number and severity of adverse reactions, Medsafe asked Pharmac to make Ritalin available to those who experienced serious side-effects.
Pharmac medical director Dr Peter Moodie said the move was an appropriate and prudent response.
"It is important to stress that the advice relates specifically to patients who have changed brand and experienced an adverse reaction."
