PharmClass

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Botox) 50 units and 100 units injection vials for the management of focal spasticity of the lower limbs associated with stroke in adults who:
  • have a score of 3 or more on the Modified Ashworth Scale at the target muscle intended for botulinum toxin A treatment;
  • do not have the affected joint permanently fixed in position due to fibrotic shortening of the target muscle; and
  • are concurrently receiving physiotherapy.

Funding status

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Botox) 50 units and 100 units injection vials for the management of focal spasticity of the upper limbs associated with stroke in adults who:
  • have a score of 2 or more on the Modified Ashworth Scale at the target muscle intended for botulinum toxin A treatment,
  • do not have the affected joint permanently fixed in position due to fibrotic shortening of the target muscle, and
  • are concurrently receiving physiotherapy.

Botulinum toxin A must be administered by either a neurologist trained in movement disorder or a rehabilitation physician who has undergone training to administer botulinum toxin A.

Subsidy status

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Botox) 50 units and 100 units injection vials for the prophylaxis of headaches in adults with chronic migraine who have had an inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindication to at least three migraine prophylactic medications.

Botulinum toxin type A must be administered by a neurologist.

Subsidy status

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Botox) 50 units and 100 units injection vials for treating adults with blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm.

Botulinum toxin A must be administered by a neurologist trained in movement disorder or a specialist physician who has undergone training to administer botulinum toxin type A to patients with movement disorders.

Subsidy status

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Botox) 50 units and 100 units injection vials for treating adults with cervical dystonia.

Botulinum toxin A must be administered by a neurologist trained in movement disorder or a specialist physician who has undergone training to administer botulinum toxin A to patients with movement disorders.

Subsidy status

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:

• Clostridium botulinum toxin type A neurotoxin complex (Botox) 50 units and 100 units injection vials for treating children, aged 2 years or older, with focal spasticity of the upper or lower limbs (including dynamic equinus foot deformity) due to cerebral palsy, and who:
  • do not have significant joint contractures, i.e. the affected joint is not permanently fixed in position due to shortening of the target muscle; and
  • are concurrently receiving ongoing supportive therapy, e.g. physiotherapy or occupational therapy.

Botulinum toxin type A must be administered by a physician specialising in paediatric neurological disorders or paediatric rehabilitation with experience in administering botulinum toxin type A.

Subsidy status