News

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...

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 Reandron 1000 vial...

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 cases treated to...

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 Continuous...

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)  Viatris, the...

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 decision-making. Link...