News

New supply notices Brand change: Cyclopentolate and tropicamide eye drops These eye drops are changing brand to Minims (funded from 1 Oct 26). The new brand comes in single-use vials. Details of the new brand are on the website. Cyclopentolate and tropicamide eye drops Brand change: Dapsone (25 mg and 100 mg) The Dapsone brand is changing to Dapsomed (funded from 1 Oct 26). Details about the differences between the two brands are available on the website. A brand switch fee will apply from 1...

Queenstown Medical Centre has been part of the local community for more than 50 years. We’re proud of the trusted relationships we’ve built, within our team, with our patients, and across our wider community. With three practices located in Queenstown, Frankton, and Jacks Point, we offer a full range of primary care services, with urgent care provided from our Queenstown site. The Role We’re looking for an experienced NP who’s passionate about delivering high-quality, equitable, and...

From 1 February 2027, Pharmac will fund additional strengths of levothyroxine tablets to support more flexible and accurate dosing for people with hypothyroidism. The change follows clinical advice that people taking levothyroxine may require precise dose adjustments, and that currently funded strengths may not always support the most convenient dosing regimen. The new strength options may reduce the need for alternate-day dosing regimens, and the need to combine multiple tablet strengths to...

Our latest CPD options for you: Epilepsy: Considerations for paediatric, and female patients WEBINAR 29 September, 7.30pm. Lynette Sadleir will cover Paediatric epilepsy, and Ian Rosemergy discusses epilepsy management in women. Register here ADHD insights from confirming diagnoses to initiating stimulant treatment WEBINAR 6 October, 7.30pm. Michael Buckley overviews the landscape for ADHD in primary care. Register here Point-of-care testing: Making it work WEBINAR 13 October, 7.30pm....

Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 11 September 2026. It includes information on: New updates Reminders Resolved Supply Issues New updates Widening of Access: rosuvastatin removal of Special Authority From 1 October 2026, rosuvastatin will no longer require a Special Authority for funded access. This means it is open listed and may be prescribed funded to any New Zealander when clinically...

Re: Supply Issue - mirtazapine 30 mg tablets There is a supply issue affecting mirtazapine 30 mg tablets and stock is currently very limited. We are aware that stock availability varies across the country, and some regions may experience temporary out-of-stocks. The next shipment is expected to arrive in New Zealand tomorrow, 22 September 2026. Pharmac is working closely with the supplier and wholesalers to expedite distribution once the shipment arrives. We recognise the clinical...