Program description

For every 2 Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled Pens purchased privately by the patient through a participating pharmacy, eligible patients can receive their third pre-filled pen at no additional cost.

The patient will need to pay any applicable pharmacy dispensing fee.

*The eligible patient will receive the 3rd Nucala Pre-filled Pen at no additional cost, once they have paid for the applicable pharmacy dispensing fee.

3rd pen no cost*

Eligibility
New Zealand patients:
  • Diagnosed with:1
    • Severe eosinophilic asthma in patients 12 years and over
    • Severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) with an inadequate response to intranasal corticosteroids in adult patients 18 years and older
    • Relapsing or refractory Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) in adult patients aged 18 years and over
    • Inadequately controlled hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) without an identifiable non-haematologic secondary cause in adult patients
  • Who have been prescribed, by a relevant specialist, Nucala 100mg Pre-filled Pen; and are self-funded Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled Pen patients

How it works
patient
The relevant specialist prescribes Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled Pen to the appropriate privately funded patient and introduces/discusses the Nucala Cost Share Program.
specialist

Specialist to provide the patient with a registration form and patient is to complete the registration form together with their relevant specialist.

email

Patient submits the completed registration form by mail/fax/email to Medidata Services Limited. Medidata Services Limited may contact the patient to verify / request further information.

pharamcy

Medidata Services Limited will contact the patient’s preferred participating pharmacy to verify their preferred wholesaler for stock delivery of the 3rd Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled Pen to their pharmacy.

proof of purchase

Each time the patient enrolled in the Program has purchased 2 eligible privately funded Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled Pens, the patient needs to obtain and send proof of purchase (official pharmacy receipt and Eftpos receipt) as early as possible to Medidata Services Limited.

3rd pen no cost*

After proof of purchase of 2 Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled Pens is received by Medidata Services Limited. Medidata will arrange for 1 Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled pen to be sent directly from the wholesaler to the patient’s preferred pharmacy identified during the registration process. The eligible patient will receive the 3rd Nucala 100 mg Pre-filled Pen at no additional cost, once they have paid for the applicable pharmacy dispensing fee. It takes about 7 working days between proof of purchase received and arrangement of medication delivery.

Program terms and conditions apply.
ICON-Discussion

Reach out to your specialist to discuss further

Important Safety Information:

Do not use NUCALA if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to mepolizumab or any of the ingredients in NUCALA1.

Do not use to treat sudden acute asthma exacerbations1.

The most common side effects of NUCALA are headache, injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, or a burning feeling at the injection site), back pain, and stuffy nose1.

Tell your doctor or get emergency help right away if you think you are having an allergic reaction to NUCALA2.

Any information provided on this website should be discussed with a healthcare professional and does not replace a healthcare professional’s advice.

References:
  1. GlaxoSmithKline New Zealand Nucala (mepolizumab) Data Sheet; December 2024. Available at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/n/nucalainj.pdf. Last Accessed February 2025.
  2. GlaxoSmithKline New Zealand. Nucala Consumer Medicine Information. GSK NZ; 2023. Available at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/CMI Last accessed February 2025
Nucala (mepolizumab 100 mg) is a Prescription Medicine, available as a 100 mg/mL pre-filled pen (auto-injector). Each pre-filled pen delivers 100 mg mepolizumab in 1 mL. Nucala is used as an add-on treatment for; severe eosinophilic asthma in patients 12 years and over, severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) with an inadequate response to intranasal corticosteroids in adult patients 18 years and older, relapsing or refractory Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) in adult patients aged 18 years and over, and in adult patients with inadequately controlled hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) without an identifiable non-haematologic secondary cause. Nucala is given by injection under your skin (subcutaneous). Nucala is fully funded for severe eosinophilic asthma and EGPA only; Special Authority criteria apply. Use strictly as directed. Nucala has risks and benefits. Do not stop taking your other asthma medications including inhaled and /or oral steroid asthma medications. Tell your doctor if: you have a parasitic (helminth) infection; you are taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements; you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Nucala does not treat acute asthma symptoms, such as sudden asthma attack. Tell your healthcare professional or get emergency help immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of your face, mouth, and tongue, breathing problems, fainting, dizziness, feeling light-headed (low blood pressure), rash or hives. Side effects: headache, injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, or a burning feeling at the injection site), back pain, and fatigue. Serious side effects may include allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis. Serious allergic reactions can happen after you get your injection of Nucala. Allergic reactions can sometimes happen hours or days after you get a dose of Nucala. Herpes zoster infections that can cause shingles have happened in people who received Nucala. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health care professional. For more information, see Nucala Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Ask your doctor if Nucala is right for you. Normal doctor’s charges apply.