Brand change: Varenicline

The brand of varenicline tab 0.5 mg and 1 mg starter pack and varenicline tab 1 mg continuation pack is changing from Champix (supplied by Pfizer) to Pharmacor Varenicline.

Pharmacor Varenicline tab 0.5 mg x 11 and 1 mg x 42 starter pack and varenicline tab 1 mg x 56 continuation pack will be listed in the community and hospital schedules from 1 January 2026.

Pharmacor Varenicline will have Principal Supply Status from 1 June 2026 and Champix will be delisted.

What is changing

• There will be a change of presentation of the starter pack, with 2 wallet packs within the initiation pack (weeks 1-2 and weeks 3-4).  The starter pack will remain as a blister pack with instructions for titration of dose.

• The 1mg continuation pack will change from a blister pack to a bottle (weeks 5-12)

For further information and a patient information leaflet please see our website.

For information on safe prescribing see, Update: Varenicline and Neuropsychiatric Adverse Reactions and Prescriber Update Vol 38 No.4 - December 2017.

Please contact enquiries@pharmac.govt.nz if you have any questions about this change.

Ngā mihi

Pharmac Implementation Team

Pharmac Implementation Team

Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga | PO Box 10 254 | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington

P: 0800 660 050 | www.pharmac.govt.nz

Pharmac will be closed over the Christmas break from Thursday 25 December 2025, reopening Monday 5 January 2026.