Information sheet for prednisolone sodium phosphate oral liquid
(Redipred)
With the withdrawal of the GSK’s brand of betamethasone (Betnesol) 0.5mg dispersible tablet
from the market, an alternative oral corticosteroid is available for patients over 12 years of
age, prednisolone sodium phosphate (Redipred) oral liquid, 5mg per ml, 30ml. As this product
does not have an indication for use as a mouthwash for oropharyngeal lesions, it is only available
pursuant to Section 29 of the Medicines Act for patients where there is no suitable alternative,
and it cannot currently be funded through the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
The Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) Policy provides a mechanism for individual
patients to receive funding consideration for medicines not listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule
(either at all or for their clinical circumstances). However, NPPA funding would not generally be
available to those who do not meet the NPPA Policy principles.
PHARMAC has the discretion to consider applications to fund pharmaceuticals outside of the NPPA
Policy and PHARMAC has decided to allow patient specific applications for the funding of Redipred
for a small number of patients with certain disorders affecting the oral mucosa, who need to be
treated with an oral corticosteroid.
Applications on the following form are to be made by a relevant specialist.
Approvals will generally be granted for a fixed period of one year.