Update: nirmatrelvir with ritonavir tablets (Paxlovid) From 1 September 2025 there were access criteria changes for funded COVID-19 antivirals (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir tablets (Paxlovid) and remdesivir injection (Veklury)) These changes can be seen on our website Pharmac webpage Covid-19 antivirals Further changes for prescribers to note: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) was previously contraindicated in patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2  but now can be consider

New community medicine supply notices Codeine (15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg tablets)  The supplier has run out of the 30mg due to shipping delays. There are limited supplies of the 15 mg and 60 mg tablets. Pharmac is working closely with the supplier and wholesalers to manage the supply issue.  Desmopressin acetate (Desmopressin-PH&T) Nasal spray  (Pharmacode: 2702916) Due to manufacturing delays and shipping issues, AFT is out of stock of this product. Other presentations of desmopre

Kia ora, Please follow this  link  to our website for the 30 October 2025 Tender Notification. Ngā mihi, Stefanie Moir | Tender Analyst _________________________________________________________________ Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Pharmac | PO Box 10 254 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington | P: 0800 660 050 |  www.pharmac.govt.nz

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

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

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

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

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

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

We are writing to inform you that Pharmac is expecting a constrained supply of oxytocin injection 10 IU per mL, 1 mL ampoule (Pharmacode:...

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week...

Candesartan cilexetil (Candestar) Tab 32 mg  (Pharmacode: 2380439) Due to delays at the factory, the supplier is out of stock of this...

This link  will take you to the proposal to enter into an agreement with Obex Medical Limited (“Obex”) for medical devices in the...