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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) Benzetacil vial....

Kia ora koutou As winter draws to a close, I want to acknowledge the dedication of our health workforce as they continue to manage a late surge in influenza cases across the country. Thank you to everyone providing high-quality care and support during this period of increased demand. The recently announced decision to fund flu vaccination for all children under five is a welcome investment in the protection of our youngest New Zealanders. Audrey SonersonDirector-General of Health As we move...

For GPs, nurses, NPs, nurse prescribers, pharmacists and allied health clinicians who want clear, New Zealand‑specific updates they can use immediately. You’ll get: • The latest practice‑changing guidance • 6 CPD points (RNZCGP) and up to 6 hours PD (College of Nurses Aotearoa NZ) • Live Q&A • Ongoing access to all recordings. See you online on Saturday. Register now

In a cross-sectional study of 2,090 patients aged 18-40 with confirmed hypertension who were referred to a French hospital (with difficult-to-control BP or concern of secondary causes) and underwent full screening, 29.6% were found to have a secondary cause1. Primary aldosteronism was the most frequent diagnosis (54.8%), followed by renovascular hypertension (18.4%), kidney disease (12.9%), pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (5.9%), drug-related hypertension (6.0%), and other rare causes. ...

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 to shipping...

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 likely than any...