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New medicine supply notices
Alfacalcidol (One-Alpha) oral drops 2 mcg/ml and cap 0.25 mcg (Pharmacode 315761 & 203084) Due to a shipping delay and increased demand, Link (the supplier) is out of stock of the oral drops and has limited supply of the 0.25 mcg presentations of alfacalcidol. Ferrous fumarate (Ferro-Tab) (Pharmacode 2162156) Due to the discontinuation of another iron supplement product, there is constrained supply of the Ferro-Tab brand. Hydroxocobalamin (B12) inj 1 mg per ml (Pharmacode
admin82291
Dec 22, 20254 min read


Discontinuation: PenMix30 Penfill 3ml, NovoMix30 FlexPen 3ml, Actrapid Penfill 3ml and Protaphane Penfill 3ml.
Discontinuation: We are writing to inform you that NovoNordisk are rationalising their product range and discontinuing four insulins. Please begin transitioning your patients to suitable alternatives. Key Dates: PenMix30 Penfill 3ml Supply of the PenMix30 ended October 2025. The remaining stock expires in April 2026. This will be delisted (no longer funded) 1 May 2026. Please see advice: NZSSD Guidance: Discontinuation of Penmix30 and Penmix50 and Mixtard 30 , July 2024.
admin82291
Dec 22, 20251 min read


Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 19 December 2025
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 19 December 2025. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues New listing: aripiprazole 300 mg and 400mg injection (Abilify Maintena) Abilify Maintena can now be administered by intramuscular injection into either the gluteal or deltoid muscle. The previous packaging did not include the extra needle to use for deltoid administrat
admin82291
Dec 22, 20254 min read


Oestradiol patch efficacy concerns
We understand that there are concerns about the efficacy and adhesion of some batches of Estradot (oestradiol) patches. Medsafe have been investigating the concerns raised. Information about the Medsafe process can be found here: Information from the supplier of Estradot, Sandoz can be found here: We have sent communications to consumer groups advising: Pharmac is responsible for the funding of medicines, while Medsafe assesses medicines to ensure they meet internati
admin82291
Dec 22, 20251 min read


Supply Issue: zinc sulphate (Zincaps) Capsules 50mg
Supply issue: We are writing to inform you that due to difficulty sourcing the active ingredient, the delivery of Zincaps into NZ will be further delayed Key messages: Resupply of the Medsafe approved Zincaps is not expected until late February 2026. An alternative Section 29 Zincaps was listed 1 October 2025, and this stock has now been depleted. A second Section 29 alternative product will be listed (funded) and available from 1 January 2026. This alternate product is
admin82291
Dec 19, 20251 min read


Brand change: Varenicline
The brand of varenicline tab 0.5 mg and 1 mg starter pack and varenicline tab 1 mg continuation pack is changing from Champix (supplied by Pfizer) to Pharmacor Varenicline. Pharmacor Varenicline tab 0.5 mg x 11 and 1 mg x 42 starter pack and varenicline tab 1 mg x 56 continuation pack will be listed in the community and hospital schedules from 1 January 2026. Pharmacor Varenicline will have Principal Supply Status from 1 June 2026 and Champix will be delisted. What is
admin82291
Dec 19, 20251 min read


Pharmac notification: Seeking new funding applications for medicines to treat rare disorders
Pharmac is calling for new funding applications for medicines for rare disorders ahead of our Rare Disorders Advisory Committee meeting. We know that people with rare disorders face challenges including access to suitable health care and accessing effective medicines. We are committed to a regular call for applications for medicines for rare disorders. We are asking for new applications from pharmaceutical suppliers so we can consider taking them to our next meeting on Wedne
admin82291
Dec 17, 20251 min read


Pharmac Notification: Decision not to proceed with proposed changes to Options for Investment list
Following feedback, Pharmac has decided not to proceed with a proposal to decline some low-ranked applications on the Options for Investment (OFI) list. We heard from a wide range of people - clinicians, professional groups, patient advocates, individuals and pharmaceutical companies. People told us that while they understood our aim was to improve transparency, they did not want us to remove funding applications from the OFI. We’ve listened carefully and appreciate the time
admin82291
Dec 17, 20251 min read


New listing: aripiprazole injection (Abilify Maintena)
Kia ora We are writing to inform you of two new listings: aripiprazole 300 mg and 400mg injection (Abilify Maintena) Key Date: Both of these products will be listed (funded) from 1 January 2026 Key messages: Abilify Maintena can now be administered by intramuscular injection into either the gluteal or deltoid muscle. The previous listed (funded) products did not include the extra needle to use for deltoid administration. The package with needle for deltoid administra
admin82291
Dec 16, 20251 min read


Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 12 December 2025
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 12 December 2025. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues Pharmac funding both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan brands of oestradiol patches From 1 December 2025, the funded brands of oestradiol patches will be Estradiol TDP Mylan and Estradot. Everyone who uses funded oestradiol patches will need to use either of these brand
admin82291
Dec 15, 20253 min read


New medicine supply notices
Acetylcysteine (DBL Acetylcysteine) Inj 200 mg per ml, 10 ml ampoule (Pharmacode 2260794) Pfizer's DBL Acetylcysteine will not be available from late December 2025 to March 2026. An alternative has been listed. Amoxicillin (Ibiamox) Inj 250 mg vial (Pharmacode: 2272628) Douglas, the supplier, expects to go out of stock of the following product by mid-December because of higher-than-normal demand and shipping delays. Resupply is expected by the end of December. Emtricitabine
admin82291
Dec 15, 20253 min read


Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 05 December 2025
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 05 December 2025. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues Pharmac funding both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan brands of oestradiol patches From 1 December 2025, the funded brands of oestradiol patches will be Estradiol TDP Mylan and Estradot. Everyone who uses funded oestradiol patches will need to use either of these brand
admin82291
Dec 9, 20253 min read


Reminder of delisting: clomipramine 10mg Teva
We are writing to remind you of the delist (no longer funded) date of the 10mg presentations of clomipramine (capsules and tablets). Key Points: • The delist date from the Pharmaceutical Schedule is 1 April 2026 • Clomipramine 25mg presentations will remain available and listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule • Please continue to consider alternative options for patients that require the lower 10mg dose Please share this inf
admin82291
Dec 8, 20251 min read


Pharmac - Supply Update
New medicine supply notices Frumil (amiloride and furosemide): Discontinuation (Pharmacode: 2125536) The supplier is discontinuing Frumil tablets. This is a global discontinuation. Supplies are likely to run out in February 2026. A flyer is available to support conversations with affected people. Mometasone furoate (Elocon) Oint 0.1% 50 g pack (Pharmacode: 2395746) Because of recent unusually high sales, the supplier is out of stock of the Elocon ointment 50 g pack. All oth
admin82291
Dec 8, 20252 min read


Proposal to fund a new strength of thiamine hydrochloride injection
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to fund a new strength of thiamine hydrochloride injection: 50 mg per ml in a 2 ml ampoule. Pharmac currently funds two strengths of thiamine hydrochloride injection: 100 mg per ml (1 ml and 2 ml vials) 125 mg per ml (2 ml vial) These would continue to be funded alongside the proposed 50 mg per ml (2 ml ampoule). If approved, this new strength would be funded from 1 April 2026. Proposal to fund a new strength of thiamine hydrochlorid
admin82291
Dec 4, 20251 min read


Supply Issue - lanreotide inj 60 mg per 0.5 ml, 0.5 ml syringe (Mytolac)
New listing: We are writing to inform you of a brand change for lanreotide inj 60 mg per 0.5 ml, 0.5 ml syringe (Mytolac). Due to a supply issue with the Mytolac brand we have an alternate brand funded and available. Key messages: lanreotide inj 60 mg per 0.5 ml, 0.5 ml syringe ( Mytolac ) brand is in short supply due to manufacturing delays. Alternative Mytolac Section 29 product was listed (funded) 1 July 2025. Mytolac S29 - The outer box is in English with Mytolac as
admin82291
Dec 3, 20252 min read


Proposal to widen access to bortezomib for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia
We want your feedback on a proposal to widen access to bortezomib for people with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Pharmac included bortezomib in the 2024/25 invitation to tender, and as a result of a price reduction, Pharmac is now proposing to widen access to bortezomib from 1 February 2026. If approved, this would allow people with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia to receive bortezomib as an initial treatment or following treatment
admin82291
Dec 2, 20251 min read


Amendment to the 2025/26 Invitation to Tender – 01 December 2025
Pharmac has amended the 2025/26 Invitation to Tender with the following updates: Added: thiamine hydrochloride inj 100 mg per ml, 1 ml Amended: bupivacaine hydrochloride with adrenaline inj 0.25% with 1:400,000 of adrenaline, 20 ml non-sterile pack → bupivacaine hydrochloride with adrenaline inj 0.25% with 1:400,000 of adrenaline, 20 ml bupivacaine hydrochloride with adrenaline inj 0.5% with 1:200,000 of adrenaline, 20 ml non-sterile pack → bupivacaine hydrochloride with
admin82291
Dec 2, 20251 min read


Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 28 November 2025
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 28 November 2025. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues Pharmac funding both Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan brands of oestradiol patches From 1 December 2025, the funded brands of oestradiol patches will be Estradiol TDP Mylan and Estradot. Everyone who uses funded oestradiol patches will need to use either of these brand
admin82291
Dec 1, 20255 min read


Discontinuation: amiloride hydrochloride 5 mg with furosemide 40 mg (Frumil tabs)
Discontinuation: We are writing to inform you of a discontinuation: amiloride hydrochloride 5 mg with furosemide 40 mg (Frumil tabs) Key messages: It is estimated that Frumil stock will run out by the end of February 2026 Please consider prescribing a funded, Medsafe registered, suitable alternative for affected patients. Amiloride 5mg tablets are not Medsafe approved and will need to be prescribed and dispensed in line with Section 29 of the Medicines Act. Our webpage
admin82291
Dec 1, 20251 min read

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