The active ingredient Leflunomide (Arava) that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis has been added to the National Health Fund (NHF) Drug List effective May 2, 2008.

The NHF subsidy for each 20 milligram (mg) tablet is $200.93. This brings the total number of active ingredients on the NHF Drug List to 189.

Other changes to the NHF Drug List - effective May 1, 2008 - include the addition of five new generic drugs for existing active ingredients.

These are:

. Intaxel (Paclitaxel) injection used in the treatment of prostate cancer, with subsidies of $31,824 for the 300mg/50 millilitre injection and $3,182.40 for the 30mg/five millilitre injection

. Fivoflu (Fluorouracil) 500mg/10 millilitre injection which is used for the treatment of breast cancer with a subsidy of $219.56

. Zexate (Methotrexate) 25 millilitre injection used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer, with a subsidy of $122.58

. Diclomax (Diclofenac) 50mg tablets with a subsidy of $6.05 per tablet

. Clopidogrel-Health 2000 75 mg tablets with a subsidy of $47.49 per tablet.

In addition, effective May 1, 2008 the severe limit for Atorvastatin (Lipitor) has been increased from 40 mg to 80 mg per day. Beneficiaries enrolling for the NHFCard must have their doctor indicate whether they are suffering from a mild or severe form of a chronic illness covered by the NHF.
This designation will determine the strength of medication that will be authorised for them when they use their NHFCard to fill their prescription. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is used in the treatment of high cholesterol.

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