POAC Ferinject Infusion Funding - Metro Auckland Region
Auckland | Waitematā | Counties Manukau
POAC provides funding support for the community administration of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject) for eligible patients across the Auckland region.
Ferinject is used to treat iron deficiency anaemia where oral iron therapy is ineffective, not tolerated, or clinically inappropriate.
POAC funding supports administration of the infusion only. The Ferinject medication must be supplied through a PHARMAC Special Authority prescription.
Service Information
Medicine: Ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject) IV infusion
Purpose:
Treatment of (iron deficiency) anaemia when oral iron therapy is ineffective, poorly tolerated, or not clinically appropriate.
Service scope
Single IV iron infusion delivered in a community setting
Administration by an appropriately trained clinician
Medication supplied separately via pharmacy with PHARMAC Special Authority approval
POAC funds the infusion administration service only
Patient eligibility
Patients must:
Be eligible for publicly funded healthcare in New Zealand
Reside in, or be enrolled with, a general practice within the Metro Auckland region
Meet the PHARMAC Special Authority criteria for ferric carboxymaltose
Further information on the Special Authority criteria is available here
Funding Criteria
POAC funding for Ferinject administration is available where the following criteria are met.
Confirmed diagnosis:
Laboratory testing should demonstrate requirement for IV ferinject infusion, in line with the PHARMAC Special Authority criteria, listed as one of the following:
Anaemia and ferritin ≤ 20 mcg/L
Anaemia and ferritin 20–50 mcg/L AND CRP ≥ 5 mg/L
Patient has chronic inflammatory disease with symptoms of anaemia
Specialist recommendation for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia
Oral iron therapy not suitable:
IV iron infusion is appropriate where oral iron therapy is not suitable, including where:
Oral iron treatment has been proven ineffective, or
Oral iron is not treatment has resulted in dose-limiting intolerance
Rapid correction of anaemia is required
Patient has symptomatic heart failure, chronic kidney disease stage 3 or more or active inflammatory bowel disease and a trial of oral iron is unlikely to be effective
Special Authority approval:
The PHARMAC Special Authority approval must be obtained prior to infusion. This is usually completed by the referring clinician or specialist.
Where a specialist has documented that the patient meets Special Authority criteria, the infusion may proceed based on that documentation.
Laboratory results:
Recent laboratory testing must confirm eligibility.
Blood tests must be completed within 4 weeks of the infusion
For renal patients, results may be up to 3 months old
Laboratory testing should include results appropriate to confirm clinical suitability for infusion.
Phosphate testing:
Baseline phosphate is required where:
Patient has had two or more iron infusions in preceding 6 months
Risk of hypophosphataemia e.g. BMI < 18, poor nutrition, chronic diarrhoea
Pregnancy considerations:
Specialist obstetric advice is recommended in the following situations:
First trimester of pregnancy
Anaemia at >37 weeks gestation
Hb <70 g/L at >34 weeks gestation
If there is clinical concern regarding symptoms or severity
Infusions in these circumstances should proceed with appropriate specialist guidance.
Referral Information
Referrers may either administer the infusion within their own clinic or refer the patient to another infusion provider.
Referring to another Infusion Centre:
If the referring clinician wishes to send their patient to another provider to deliver the infusion, the POAC online referral form must be completed. Submit referral here
Infusion delivered within the referring clinic:
If the referring clinician is administering the infusion within their own clinic, the online referral form is not required.
The clinic may proceed directly to the POAC claiming process using their PMS POAC claiming form once the infusion has been completed.
Infusion provider responsibilities:
The clinician or infusion provider administering the infusion must:
Confirm patient identity and referral details
Confirm or complete Special Authority form
Review laboratory results
Complete the infusion checklist
Administer the infusion according to safe clinical practice
Monitor the patient for any adverse reactions
POAC Claiming Process
Submit POAC referral
Submit a new POAC referral via the POAC PMS form using the condition coding "Ferinject IV Iron Infusion."
Submit invoice for services provided
IV iron infusion (single dose only) - all inclusive fixed fee
Note: No patient co-payment is to be charged for the above services.