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We wish to inform you of several upcoming changes: Supply issues: rosuvastatin (Rosuvastatin Viatris all strengths) ursodeoxycholic acid caps 250mg (Ursosan) temozolomide 5mg capsules (Temaccord). promethazine hydrochloride injection 25 mg per ml, 2 ml ampoule (Hospira) Change to dispensing frequency and stock available: perindopril (Coversyl) all strengths progesterone (Utrogestan) 100 mg capsule Ultraproct Ointment Dexamfetamine sulfate Tab 5 mg (Noumed) Discontinuation: Insulin...

Issue 345 - 25 June 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, contact...

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...