Amgevita (biosimilar adalimumab) funded from 1 March 2022

In November 2021 we announced the decision to widen access to adalimumab and award Principal Supply to Amgevita, a citrate-free biosimilar adalimumab. Amgevita will be listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 March 2022.
 
What does this change mean
From 1 March 2022, most patients currently using Humira will need to transition to Amgevita.
 
There are some key actions that healthcare professionals can take to support this change.
 

• Be aware that on 1 March 2022, all people currently using adalimumab will be automatically issued with an initial Special Authority number for Amgevita. Their Humira Special Authority will remain current.

• Ensure you prescribe adalimumab by brand (either Amgevita or Humira).
• Identify patients using adalimumab and discuss the continuation of their treatment with Amgevita when their Humira Special Authority is due for renewal, or before 1 October 2022.
• Go to amgevita.co.nz for resources to support you and your patients with this change.
• Go to the Pharmac website for information about the changes to funding criteria for Humira.​

continued...

More information
You can find more information about this change, and what it means for you, on the Pharmac website.
 
Resources are available to support you and your patients with this change:
He Ako Hiringa: Biological Medicines Resource Hub
He Ako Hiringa: Transition to adalimumab biosimilar
 
More resources will be released in the coming weeks. We will continue to update the Pharmac website with links to resources to support this change as they become available.

Please share this information
We want to make sure everyone who needs to know about these changes is aware of them. Please share this information with your colleagues. 
 
We want to extend our thanks to you and your colleagues for supporting people with this change.

Click here for the mailer

Ngā mihi nui,
Chief Medical Officer | Tumu Whakarae Haumanu
Pharmac

---