MEDICATION: Section 29

What does Section 29 mean?

What does it mean when a medication is 'Section 29'?

Practially it means:

• Only doctors are able to prescribe it (not nurse practitioners)
• Pharmacists are not permitted to hold it in stock, but they can order it in on a named basis (this can contribute to the delay)
• The policy states the the doctors needs to  ensure that this medication is appropriate and you understand the risks vs benefits.  
• The medication is not funded (and prices may vary between pharmacies)

Off license/label or unapproved medications

This is a medication that has not been through a regulatory process in New Zealand and the reasons that it is being used are not stated in the New Zealand Medicine Data Sheet Medsafe NZ

Unapproved medications may be approved for this use elsewhere in the world and may have been approved from a quality, efficacy and safety perspective.  For a medication to be used in NZ, then the drug company has to apply for approval.  

A prescription is “process of advising and authorising, ideally in writing the use of a medicine”.  GP/Medical Practitioners are able to prescribe approved medications for unapproved uses and obtain unapproved medications for uses too.

Consent is obtained for prescribing of non-approved medications.   This includes:

1.    You have been informed about your health and wellbeing condition and the role of the medication

2.    The discussion of the use of the medication in the context of your health will be reviewed at each consultation, with particular reference to ongoing management at the 6 and 12 month reviews (unless stated otherwise)

3.    You are welcomed to share the information with your whanau and friends, and ask them to attend the consultation with you.  

4.    You will be given time to decide your management plan

5.    Even if you have consented and agreed to try the medication/management plan you can still change your mind

6.    The clinicians at FemaleGP are always available to discuss the management plans with your healthcare team, and your Primary Care Providers.  This is particularly relevant in the situation of HRT and estrogen availability as we recognise lots has changed and not all clinicians are confident in this space.   

To safely be able to prescribe and recommend unapproved medications it is important that:

•    Approved options have been tried

•    The presumed safety of unapproved options outweighs that of approved options

•    The receiver of the medication has had their options explained, the opportunity to ask and have their questions answered and has been given an appropriate follow up plan

•    The Prescriber must comply with the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights HDC Consumer Rights

For more information on consent please see the Healthify page on Consent.