Supply issue: Bicillin LA injection. Please reserve stock for children under 13 years Supply issue: Bicillin LA injection We notified you in June that the supply of Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) in 2.3 ml syringe, will be significantly delayed. Key Dates: The next shipment of Bicillin LA is not expected until mid-November 2026. An alternative has been available - Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) Benzeta

New supply notices Ipratropium bromide nebules (Nebuliser soln, 250 mcg per ml, 2 ml ampoule): (Pharmacode: 2724863) The latest shipment of Viatris brand ipratropium nebules has been delayed. The next shipment of nebules is expected to arrive by the end of August. It will take a further 2 or 3 weeks to reach pharmacies around the country. > Ipratropium bromide nebules (Nebuliser soln, 250 mcg per ml, 2 ml ampoule) Levetiracetam (Everet) Tab 1,000 mg (Pharmacode: 2479567) Due

Pharmac is widening access to funded influenza vaccination from today for all children under 5 (under 59 months inclusive). This means all children in this age group are now eligible for a free influenza vaccine (Influvac Tetra). The change follows an increase in influenza-related illness, particularly among young children, and confirmation that there is sufficient vaccine supply available in New Zealand to support widened access. Children under five years of age are more lik

Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 28 August 2026 Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 28 August 2026. It includes information on: Discontinuations New updates Resolved Supply Issues Discontinuations Discontinuation: Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) The supplier of the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device has notified Pharmac that they will cease s

In August 2025, we asked for feedback on a proposal to decline 19 applications. We’re grateful for the feedback we received in response to our consultation. For each of the applications that we received feedback on, we have summarised the theme of feedback we received and our response. Today we’re sharing our decision to keep two applications open and decline 17 applications. Decision to decline inactive applications for the funding of some medicines We understand this out

Pharmac is changing the funded brands of influenza, meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal vaccines from 2027. Access to funded influenza vaccination will widen to include all children aged 6 months up to their fifth birthday (6-59 months inclusive) from 1 April 2027. Pharmac has also widened access to a vaccine to help prevent people who have already had a serious pneumococcal infection from getting it again. These decisions follow consultation on a proposal arising from the 20

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 21 August 2026. It includes information on: Discontinuations New updates Resolved Supply Issues Discontinuations Discontinuation: Sodium valproate (Epilim) 100mg crushable tablets The supplier Sanofi has notified Pharmac of the discontinuation of sodium valproate (Epilim brand) 100mg crushable tablets. This is a global discontinuation. Sanofi expe

The Pharmac website is experiencing an intermittent issue with not displaying published pages, either on an index page (like medicine notices) or through site search. The pages are published. You can find them by clicking the links in this email or using an external search engine, such as google, to search the chemical name and “pharmac nz”. We are working to resolve this issue. Calcitriol (0.25 mcg and 0.5 mcg caps): Brand change A tender has been awarded to Devatis to suppl

We are writing to update you on two issues. Discontinuations Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Supply Issue Dapsone tab 25mg 1.Discontinuation - Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) The supplier of the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device has notified Pharmac that they will cease supplying it to New Zealand from 1 December 2026. While stock may remain available within the supply chain for a period after this date, Pharmac intends to delist

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 14 August 2026. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues New updates: Supply Issue Reminder: Trusteel Infusion Sets There is a global supply constraint affecting TruSteel infusion sets (used with Tandem insulin pumps) due to issues at a component supplier. It affects all four funded TruSteel infusion set products. Pharmac als

We’re writing to update you on changes to dispensing arrangements for Estradiol TDP Mylan (oestradiol) patches, and to ask for your support in helping manage supply. From 1 September 2026, people can be dispensed up to three months’ supply of Estradiol TDP Mylan patches at once, with no monthly patch limit. This will make it easier for patients to access treatment where appropriate and reduce the number of pharmacy visits. Estradot patches supply remains limited and unpredict

Consultation: PSO medicine and rule changes Give your feedback on a proposal to expand the Practitioner Supply Order (PSO) list and to amend the Schedule General Rules to clarify the intended use of PSO supplies from 1 November 2026. This proposal draws on evidence from a one-year pilot in which some non‑rural general practices accessed a wider range of PSO medicines. Have your say now New medicine supply notices Dexcom G6 CGM being retired Dexcom G6 (Pharmacode 2679795) will

Kia ora, We are writing to inform you of several upcoming issues. Supply Issues: Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25mg and 50mg tablets Clotrimazole 1% vaginal cream (Clomazol) Teriparatide Teva Inj 250 mcg per ml Reminder of PSO quantity change and Brand Change: Furosemide Injection 10 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule 1.Supply Issue: Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25mg and 50mg tablets There is a supply issue affecting Vedafil sildenafil 25 mg tablets and Vedafil sildenafil 50 mg tablets due to

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 7 August 2026. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues New updates:Coversyl tablets change of salt: Perindopril erbumine to Perindopril arginine Due to global alignment and to ensure continuity of supply, Coversyl containing perindopril erbumine will be replaced with Coversyl containing perindopril arginine. The new Perind

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 24 July 2026. It includes information on: New updates Upcoming Discontinuations Resolved Supply Issues 24-07-2026 Pharmac Weekly Update to Prescribers in Primary Care New updates: Supply issue: oestradiol 100mcg patch (Estradot brand) Sandoz, the supplier has advised stock of the oestradiol 100mcg patches (Estradot brand) is very low and may r

PediaSure strawberry 200ml bottle Due to an air freight delay, Abbott is out of stock of PediaSure liquid (strawberry), 200 ml bottle (Pharmacode: 2702762). More stock is due to arrive in New Zealand in mid-late July. > PediaSure strawberry 200 ml bottle: Supply issue Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Tamsulosin-Rex) cap 400 mcg Due to an upcoming supply issue, we're temporarily moving tamsulosin cap 400 mcg to monthly dispensing from 1 August 2026. This is to extend the available su

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 17 July 2026. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues 17-07-2026 Pharmac Weekly Update to Prescribers in Primary Care Supply issue: candesartan (Candestar) (all strengths) Issues at the supplier's manufacturing site have led to limited supply of the funded brand of candesartan tablets in New Zealand. Pharmac has worked clos

Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone) cr and oint Due to a manufacturing delay, the 0.05% (15g) of Diprosone cream and the 0.05% (50g) of Diprosone ointment are out of stock. Other pack sizes are available for both the ointment and cream. > Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone): Supply issue Oestradiol (Estradot) 100 mcg patch Stock of the 100 mcg Estradot brand of oestradiol patches (Pharmacode: 2358883) is low and may run out. The 100 mcg Estradiol TDP Mylan brand of oest

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 10 July 2026. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues 10-07-2026 Pharmac Weekly Update to Prescribers in Primary Care Supply issue: candesartan (Candestar) (all strengths) Issues at the supplier's manufacturing site have led to limited supply of the funded brand of candesartan tablets in New Zealand. Pharmac is working clos

Insulin syringes: BD brand is moving to Embecta The BD brand of insulin syringes is being rebranded as “Embecta”. It is the same product, but the box looks different. The website has example pictures showing the change of in appearance of the boxes. > Insulin syringes: BD brand is moving to Embecta Promethazine 25 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule All stock of this product in New Zealand (Pharmacode: 722952) is short-dated. A section 29 alternative has been listed. > Promethazine suppl