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Kia ora Pharmac has decided to fund another brand of methylphenidate, Rubifen LA, to help ease supply issues and provide more treatment options for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Rubifen LA will be funded from 1 October 2026. Decision to fund a new brand of methylphenidate Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during consultation. This feedback has informed our decision. If you have any questions, please contact us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz. Ngā mihi...

Notice of HbA1c diagnostic threshold changes in brief1,2: New HbA1c criteria define normal as under 42 mmol/mol, prediabetes as 42-47, and diabetes as 48 or higher; no confirmation is needed if HbA1c is 53 mmol/mol or above. Vildagliptin should not be added to dulaglutide, as both act on GLP‑1 pathways. In pregnancy, all diabetes medications, including ACE inhibitors and statins, are stopped, with only metformin and insulin used, and all pregnant women require secondary care input. ...

Dear Andrea, Our latest CPD options for you: Sepsis, and Managing respiratory viral infections WEBINAR 30 June: Paul Huggan on sepsis management and Tim Cutfield on the management of common respiratory viral infections. Register here Injectables for weight loss WEBINAR 7 July, 7.30pm. Jeremy Krebs on initiating and managing injectable therapies, focusing on contraindications, dose titration, maintenance dosing and intolerance management. Register here Managing lumbar and cervical...

New medicine supply notices Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) (Pharmacode: 2258072) An alternative called Benzetacil has been listed. We have asked hospitals and sexual health providers to use this alternative and prioritise Bicillin LA for people who need a lower injection volume. > Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) supply notice Desmopressin acetate (Minirin) Tab 100 mcg (Pharmacode: 492620) There may be limited supply of this product until it’s resupplied in late June/early...

Kia ora Supply issue: Bicillin LA injection We are writing to inform you that the supplier of Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) in 2.3 ml syringe, has notified Pharmac that due to production issues arrival of the next shipment will be significantly delayed. Key Dates: The supplier has enough stock of Bicillin LA in New Zealand to supply wholesalers until late July. The next shipment is not expected until mid-November 2026. This means that supply...

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 19 June 2026. It includes information on: New updates Resolved Supply Issues Supply issue: Bicillin LA injection The supplier of Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin LA) Inj 900 mg (1.2 million units) in 2.3 ml syringe, has notified Pharmac that due to production issues arrival of the next shipment will be significantly delayed. Key Dates: The supplier has...