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Issue 341 - 30 April 2026 Welcome to the fortnightly Health Improvement and Innovation Digest. The Digest has links to key evidence of interest, with access to new content arranged by topic. You can forward this newsletter to others who may be interested in receiving it. They can register and subscribe here. You can also access other recent issues of the digest here. If you have any queries, please email us at library@health.govt.nz. Article Access For articles that aren't open access,...

We are writing to advise you of a supply disruption affecting all strengths of Ramipril (Tryzan) due to an issue at the manufacturing site. Stock of the registered capsules is expected to run out progressively from late April through June, and no resupply of the registered product is expected until mid–late 2026. To maintain continuity of treatment, the supplier has sourced alternatives for all strengths. The alternatives products are tablets rather than capsules, and are not Medsafe...

Please follow this link to our website for the April 2026 Tender Notification. Ngā mihi, Jade Matthews-Wanden | Tender Analyst Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Pharmac | PO Box 10 254 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington | P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz

Early identification of AAS in younger Māori This study examined ethnic disparities in acute aortic syndrome (AAS) in Midland region patients1. Researchers conducted a 10-year retrospective review (2010–2020) of 250 consecutive AAS cases, in which Māori made up 23.3% of the population. Outcomes were compared between Māori and non-Māori. Māori patients accounted for 36.8% of cases and had a significantly higher age-standardised incidence of AAS (6.9 vs 2.0 per 100,000 person-years). They...

We are writing to inform you of the: Discontinuation: Duolin nebuliser soln, salbutamol 2.5 mg with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg per vial, 2.5 ml ampoule New listing: Combiprasal nebuliser soln, salbutamol 2.5 mg with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg per vial, 2.5 ml ampoule Duolin nebuliser soln has been discontinued. The alternate Cipla brand has an expiry date of 30 June 2026. A second alternate, Combiprasal brand will be funded from 1 May 2026. Combiprasal active ingredients and strength remain...

Due to a delay at the manufacturing site, there is a supply issue affecting Ezetimibe with Simvastatin 10/40 mg (Zimybe). From 1 May 2026 Pharmac is funding an alternative product Ezetimibe with Simvastatin 10/40 mg (Vytorin). This is not a Medsafe approved product and should be prescribed and supplied in line with Section 29A of the Medicines Act 1981. Further information will be added to our webpage as updates become available – Ezetimibe with simvastatin (Zimybe) 10/40 mg: Supply issue ...