Pharmac deal for Prozac switch

WELLINGTON - The Government drug-buying agency Pharmac has struck a deal with a supplier of anti-depressant drugs that it says will save taxpayers around $10 million a year.

The general manager of Pharmac, Wayne McNee, said yesterday that patients on Prozac and Lovan -- brands of the drug fluoxetine - would now be able to switch to a generic fluoxetine supplied by Douglas Pharmaceuticals.

The company would supply the drug at a price 60 per cent lower than the price of Prozac and Lovan.

"The generic is interchangeable with Prozac, so patients will be able to switch without noticing any change," Mr McNee said.

Pharmac had advised the manufacturers of the other brands that the subsidy for fluoxetine would be at the lower price.

It was awaiting a reply on whether they would be able to meet the new price.

Mr McNee said nearly 250,000 New Zealanders were on antidepressants, and most would not be affected by the change.

Approximately 70 per cent of them were on brands of drugs which would not be affected by the subsidy changes.

Most of the remainder were on fluoxetine and would be able to change brands. - NZPA