Pharmac to subsidise new painkiller alternative to morphine

A painkiller that can be used as an alternative to morphine is to be fully subsidised from next month, the Government drug-funding agency Pharmac says.

The painkiller is oxycodone, a strong opioid analgesic, taken as a capsule under the brand name OxyNorm, or as a long-acting tablet with the brand name Ocycontin.

Pharmac estimated spending on oxycodone would be about $5 million over the next three years.

Pharmac's medical director Dr Peter Moodie said the need for a wider range of painkillers had been identified by Pharmac's analgesia advisory committee.

"We've taken this advice on board and responded to it by working to enhance the range of pain relief treatments," he said.

"Morphine is available in a number of forms and strengths and is trusted as an effective form of pain relief by patients and clinicians.

"Subsidising oxycodone won't change that, however it will provide a useful alternative which people will be able to turn to if, for some reason, they are unable to use morphine."

While he expected clinicians treating people with severe pain to welcome the decision to subsidise oxycodone from August 1, it was unlikely to replace morphine as the preferred treatment for severe pain, Dr Moodie said.

The listing of oxycodone followed decisions to improve the availability of products to treat severe pain including listing fentanyl (Durogesic) patches, and widening access to gabapentin (Neurontin) for neuropathic pain.

"We think having a wider range of treatments such as oxycodone, fentanyl patches and gabapentin for neuropathic pain will produce better outcomes for patients and clinicians," Dr Moodie said.

- NZPA