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From 1 December 2025, Pharmac will be changing the funded brand of fulvestrant injection (50 mg per ml, 5 ml prefilled syringe), used to treat certain types of breast cancer. The funded brand will change from Faslodex (AstraZeneca) to Fulvestrant EVER Pharma (InterPharma). Fulvestrant EVER Pharma will be listed from 1 December 2025. Faslodex will be delisted on 1 May 2026. Fulvestrant EVER Pharma will be awarded Principal Supply Status from 1 May 2026 to 30 June 2028. The new

Kia ora.   We are writing to update you on the constrained supply of oxytocin injection 10 IU per mL, 1 mL ampoule (Pharmacode: 2577046) from mid to late November 2025.   Medsafe has approved a labelling exemption for an alternative German product. The product should be available to order by the end of October 2025. The product is identical except the label on the ampoule is in German (as shown below). It will come in the standard New Zealand-labelled carton, and it will have

Pharmac has confirmed it will fund an additional extended-release brand of methylphenidate - Methylphenidate Sandoz XR - from 1 December 2025.  This decision follows recent consultation and will help increase supply and provide more options for people who need ADHD treatments. Methylphenidate Sandoz XR will be available in the same strengths as Concerta – 18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg, and 54 mg. It will be funded alongside currently available brands, under existing eligibility criteri

Coming up in CPD: Goodfellow Symposium 2026 21/22 March 2026: Practical, evidence-based clinical skills you can use next week:  Check it out here . Herpes zoster and cardiovascular disease WEBINAR 4 November: Hasan Bhally and Rachael Niederer on understanding the burden and prevention of herpes zoster in patients with cardiovascular risk. Register here Beyond borders: Challenges in bariatric surgical tourism WEBINAR 11 November: Equipping clinicians to provide safe, non-judge

Heparin sodium inj 5,000 iu per ml, 5 ml ampoule (Brand change)  (Pharmacode: 2651815) The funded brand of heparin sodium injections (5,000 iu/ml 5 ml ampoules) is changing from Panpharma to Pfizer. Pfizer will be listed from 1 November 2025. A flyer for patients is available. Nonacog gamma [Recombinant Factor IX] (Rixubis) Inj 2,000 iu vial  (Pharmacode: 2487950) Due to recent high demand, Takeda, the supplier has low stock of the inj 2,000 iu vial of Rixubis. Takeda is wor

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 24 October 2025. It includes information on:  New updates R esolved Supply Issues 24-10-2025 Pharmac Weekly Update to Prescribers  in Primary Care Consultation now open - proposed changes to the Options for Investment list Pharmac is now consulting publicly on a proposal to bring greater clarity and transparency to how we manage medicine funding app

Pānui October 2025 Message from the Chief Executive Kia ora koutou katoa, I’m writing this hard on the heels of the recent Valuing Life: NZ Medicines Access Summit  – which means that improving access to rare disorder medicines is very much top of mind. It’s all the more poignant with James McGoram’s recent resignation as RDNZ’s Chairperson, and his imminent move to Australia as a medical refugee, solely because that’s where he’ll be able to access the lifesaving medicines he

Kia ora,   We are writing regarding funded diabetes technology, specifically insulin pump choice, and quantity limitations for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and the process to follow when encountering faulty devices.   Insulin pump choice Since October 2024, Pharmac has funded two insulin pumps for people meeting eligibility criteria. A table comparing the various features and differences between the two pumps  is on the Pharmac website. Pump selection is considered ‘p

From 1 November 2025, Pharmac will be updating its rare disorders policy principles by broadening the definition of a rare disorder. The new definition will be: “a medical condition with a specific pattern of clinical signs, symptoms and findings that affects fewer than or equal to 1 in 2,000 people in Aotearoa New Zealand.” This change aligns Pharmac’s policy with the Aotearoa New Zealand Rare Disorders Strategy 2024 and reflects the feedback we received from stakeholders a

We want your feedback on a proposal to fund silver diamine fluoride for people accessing dental services through Health New Zealand public hospitals, and the ‘Health New Zealand Community Oral Health Service’ for children and some adolescents. Silver diamine fluoride is a topical dental treatment, combining ionic silver and fluoride. It can stop the progression of existing cavities and reduce tooth sensitivity. It is used in hospitals and community dental clinics and can only

Welcome to the latest update from the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora on the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products.   This newsletter includes updates on the following:  ·         Important policy decisions on the Medical Products Bill   ·         Community pharmacy ownership  ·         Advertising   ·         Statutory timeframes  ·         Offences and penalties  ·         Medical products regulator  ·         Medical products exports  ·   

Kia ora   We are writing to inform you of a supply issue.   Key messages The supplier Pfizer has informed us that Depo-Testosterone will be in short supply from late-October to mid-December 2025. Pfizer has been unable to source an alternative bioequivalent product. Please consider not starting any new patients on Depo-Testosterone for the supply issue period Clinical advice has told us - prescribers may wish to consider alternative funded testosterone products , such as Rean

There has been a theoretical concern that the starting DOACs after an ischaemic stroke with known AF may cause an increase in haemorrhagic transformation of the acute infarct. A review of four RCTs examining the question of starting within the first 4 days or waiting 5 or more days 1 . There was an improvement of the primary outcome, a composite of recurrent ischaemic stroke, symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage 30 days 57 cases (2.1%) versus 83 (3.0%). This an NNT of 111 c

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 17 October 2025. It includes information on:  New updates Resolved Supply Issues Pharmac has confirmed changes to Special Authority renewal requirements for selected medicines and products.From 1 December 2025, Pharmac will remove the need to renew Special Authority approvals for the following treatments: Insulin pump consumables for type 1 diabetes

Humapen Savvio: Update  Eli Lilly has made changes to how it supplies its Humapen Savvio insulin pen.  Imiquimod: New look  (Pharmacode: 2543907) Imiquimod is changing packaging style from a sachet to a "stick". Pictures and a patient flyer are available. Rizatriptan (Rizamelt) dispersible tab 10 mg  (Pharmacode: 2394634) Due to an increase in demand and delays at the factory, there is a supply issue affecting Rizamelt tablets.  Rosuvastatin (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg tablets)  Via

Kia ora, Pharmac is now consulting publicly on a proposal to bring greater clarity and transparency to how we manage medicine funding applications on the Options for Investment (OFI) list. We’re proposing to decline some of the lowest-ranked applications that have remained on the OFI list for more than two years, as they are unlikely to be funded under current priorities. This change aims to help people better understand our funding intentions and support more informed decisi

Issue 331 - 16 October 2025 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

Pharmac has confirmed changes to Special Authority renewal requirements for selected medicines and products. From 1 December 2025, Pharmac will remove the need to renew Special Authority approvals for the following treatments: Insulin pump consumables for type 1 diabetes Continuous glucose monitors (interoperable and standalone) for type 1 diabetes Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonists with Long-acting Beta-Adrenoceptor Agonists (LAMA/LABA inhalers) for respiratory conditions Ep

Welcome to the latest update from the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora on the regulation of medicines, medical devices and natural health products.   This newsletter includes updates on the following:  Important policy decisions on the Medical Products Bill   Community pharmacy ownership  Advertising   Statutory timeframes  Offences and penalties  Medical products regulator  Medical products exports  Supporting innovation under the Medical Products Bill  Natural health prod

Medicinal cannabis products that meet the minimum quality standard The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) set the minimum quality standard that medicinal cannabis products and ingredients must meet before they can be supplied in New Zealand. Importers, manufacturers, and suppliers must apply for assessment and provide evidence to the Medicinal Cannabis Agency to verify that their products meet the minimum quality standard. Helius NZ Maya T