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We wish to inform you of several upcoming changes: Supply issues: rosuvastatin (Rosuvastatin Viatris all strengths) ursodeoxycholic acid caps 250mg (Ursosan) temozolomide 5mg capsules (Temaccord). promethazine hydrochloride injection 25 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule (Hospira) Change to dispensing frequency and stock available: perindopril (Coversyl) all strengths progesterone (Utrogestan) 100 mg capsule Ultraproct Ointment Dexamfetamine sulfate Tab 5 mg (Noumed) Discontinuati

Issue 345 - 25 June 2026 Welcome to the fortnightly Health Improvement and Innovation Digest. The Digest has links to key evidence of interest, with access to new content arranged by topic. You can forward this newsletter to others who may be interested in receiving it. They can register and subscribe here. You can also access other recent issues of the digest here. If you have any queries, please email us at library@health.govt.nz Article Access For articles that aren't open

Kia ora Pharmac has decided to fund another brand of methylphenidate, Rubifen LA, to help ease supply issues and provide more treatment options for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Rubifen LA will be funded from 1 October 2026. Decision to fund a new brand of methylphenidate Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during consultation. This feedback has informed our decision. If you have any questions, please contact us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.

Notice of HbA1c diagnostic threshold changes in brief1,2: New HbA1c criteria define normal as under 42 mmol/mol, prediabetes as 42-47, and diabetes as 48 or higher; no confirmation is needed if HbA1c is 53 mmol/mol or above. Vildagliptin should not be added to dulaglutide, as both act on GLP‑1 pathways. In pregnancy, all diabetes medications, including ACE inhibitors and statins, are stopped, with only metformin and insulin used, and all pregnant women require secondary ca

Dear Andrea, Our latest CPD options for you: Sepsis, and Managing respiratory viral infections WEBINAR 30 June: Paul Huggan on sepsis management and Tim Cutfield on the management of common respiratory viral infections. Register here Injectables for weight loss WEBINAR 7 July, 7.30pm. Jeremy Krebs on initiating and managing injectable therapies, focusing on contraindications, dose titration, maintenance dosing and intolerance management. Register here Managing lumb

New medicine supply notices Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) (Pharmacode: 2258072) An alternative called Benzetacil has been listed. We have asked hospitals and sexual health providers to use this alternative and prioritise Bicillin LA for people who need a lower injection volume. > Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) supply notice Desmopressin acetate (Minirin) Tab 100 mcg (Pharmacode: 492620) There may be limited supply of this product until it’s resupplied i

Kia ora Supply issue: Bicillin LA injection We are writing to inform you that the supplier of Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) in 2.3 ml syringe, has notified Pharmac that due to production issues arrival of the next shipment will be significantly delayed. Key Dates: The supplier has enough stock of Bicillin LA in New Zealand to supply wholesalers until late July. The next shipment is not expected until mid-November 2026. This me

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 19 June 2026. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues Supply issue: Bicillin LA injection The supplier of Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) in 2.3 ml syringe, has notified Pharmac that due to production issues arrival of the next shipment will be significantly delayed. Key Dates: The s

Kia ora, Re: Supply Issue - Efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil combination tablet. There is a long-term supply issue affecting efavirenz with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil. In July 2025, Pharmac listed the TEEVIR Section 29 product as an alternative. This stock is now running low and is expected to be unavailable by late June. To maintain continuity of supply, Pharmac has listed another Section 29 alternative: Tenofovir Efavirenz Emtricitabi

Kia ora, Re: Supply Issue - rizatriptan 10 mg tablets (Rizamelt). There is a supply issue affecting rizatriptan 10 mg tablets due to an issue at the manufacturer. To ensure continuity of supply, from 12 June Pharmac has listed (funded) an alternative product: Rizatriptan Rising 10 mg orodispersible tablet. This product is not approved by Medsafe and must be prescribed and supplied in accordance with Section 29A of the Medicines Act. Further information will be added t

Kia ora Brand Change: We are writing to inform you of a tender brand change for colchicine tab 500 mcg (Colgout). Key Dates: A new brand of colchicine tab 500 mcg (Colchicine Indoco) will be funded from 1 July 2026 and awarded Principal Supply Status from 1 December 2026 to 30 June 2028. The Colgout brand will be delisted (no longer funded) on 30 November 2026. Key messages: Colchicine tab 500 mcg is currently funded and supplied in a bottle with a child resistant closu

Kia ora, Re: Supply Issue – Lansoprazole 30mg capsules We are writing to advise you of a supply issue affecting lansoprazole 30 mg capsules due to an issue at the manufacturer. To ensure continuity of supply from 1 July, Pharmac listed (funded) an alternative product: Lansoprazole 30 mg oral dispersible tablet. Please note the following important information: The alternative product is an oral dispersible tablet, not a capsule. Patients may require a new prescription.

We’re seeking NPs for contract roles across NZ to provide weekly rounds to Aged Residential Care (ARC) facilities, delivering high-quality care to older patients with complex needs. We currently have opportunities across Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Greater Wellington, Blenheim and Nelson. You will work closely with onsite nurses and care teams to: Provide excellent clinical care to ARC residents (rest home level care and a

0.9 FTE, Job Sharing availablePHC MECA Aligned Remuneration $49-$58 (anticipated Step 6 - Senior Nurse 3, dependent on experience and qualifications) About Gilmore Family Medical Gilmore Family Medical is a new General Practice that has been open for 7 months here, in Palmerston North. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Practice Nurse to become one of the core members of our clinical team. Currently, the practice consists of one GP, a dual team out front with support

Press Release attached:

Permanent, full-time role + Monday – Friday + Tawa 5 Weeks Annual Leave + 4 Paid Wellbeing Days + more great benefits Enjoy funded clinical professional development and Annual Practising Certificate support to maintain NZ Nursing Council registration As a Registered Nurse, lead and inspire a team supporting older adults living with existing mental health challenges on their wellbeing journey. Pathways | Mō mātou As a leading mental health and addiction service in Aotearoa, we

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 12 June 2026. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues Brand Change: colchicine tab 500 mcg (Colgout) A new brand Colchicine Indoco will be funded from 1 July 2026. The current Colgout brand will be delisted (no longer funded) on 30 November 2026 The Colgout brand is supplied in a bottle with a child resistant closure. Th

New medicine supply notices New Pharmacodes listed from 12 June: Benralizumab (Fasenra) New Pharmacode: 2731843 Cefalexin 50 mg/ml (grans for oral liquid) New Pharmacode: 2714086 Pharmacies can claims for June dispensings in June. Brand changes Colchicine (500 mg tablets) Colchicine Indoco will be listed 1 July. A brand switch fee will be available from 1 December. Information for patients, including pictures and a flyer, is available on the website. Thiamine 50mg tablets Fro

We are pleased to share a new cancer data section on our website – CanStats. CanStats brings together the latest cancer data, dashboards, indicators, and targets from government and international cancer organisations, into one easy-to-access location. It replaces our previous “Reports and numbers” and “Cancer in Numbers” pages. You can find it on the top menu of our website at www.teaho.govt.nz. We have organised resources under the cancer control continuum: prevention, scree