Pharmac - Supply Update
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.
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 March 2027.
Escitalopram (Ethics) 10 mg tablets: Schedule listing ends 1 Feb 27
Ipca-Escitalopram will be the only listed brand from 1 Feb 27. A small number of people are still receiving funded Ethics brand escitalopram. Those people will need their prescriber to apply for exceptional circumstances funding to continue to receive funding for the Ethics brand after 1 Feb 27. More information is on the website, including a flyer for patients who take Ethics escitalopram.
Mirtazapine (30 mg tablets)
A shipment of mirtazapine 30 mg tablets (Pharmacode: 2678802) has been delayed. Stock is expected to arrive by the end of September 2026.
Brand change: Prazosin
Mylan brand prazosin is likely to run out by late October / early November. Apo-Prazosin will be the new funded brand. The Pharmacodes for Apo-Prazosin remain the same as for Arrotex-Prazosin. More information and a flyer for patients is available on the website.
Sumatriptan (Sumagran) 50 and 100 mg tabs
Due to an issue at the factory, the supplier will run out of Sumagran brand sumatriptan. An alternative brand is funded from 1 October 2026. Details and pictures are available on the website.
Updated supply notices
Codeine phosphate (Noumed)
A shipment of 60 mg codeine tablets (Pharmacode 2643227) has arrived. Stock has been sent to wholesalers.
Ezetimibe with simvastatin (Zimybe) all strengths
All strengths of Zimybe are affected by this supply issue. From 1 October, more alternative brands are being listed to ensure people can continue to access this treatment. Details of brands and pictures are available on the website.
Insulin syringes (Embecta brand): Supply contraint
We understand that there might be limited supplies of the Embecta syringes. There has been some unexpected demand, and the supplier has briefly run out of some syringes. Another shipment of syringes is expected to arrive by the end of September 2026.
Levetiracetam (Everet) Tab 1,000 mg
Stock has arrived and been released to wholesalers. (Pharmacode: 2479567)
Mirtazapine (30 mg tablets)
A shipment has arrived and is being urgent couriered to wholesalers from today, Thursday 24 September 2026.
Methylphenidate
18 mg Teva is out of stock. All other strengths and brands are available. Rubifen LA is funded from 1 October 10 and 20 mg strengths are available to order now. Other strengths will be available later.
Naproxen (Noflam 250 and 500)
Stock of both strengths of the Inza brand is available and further shipments are arriving in October 2026.
Nutricia: supply issue
The following products are out of stock:
Elemental 028
Pineapple & orange (Pharmacode: 2450801)
Summer fruits (Pharmacode: 2450798)
Heparon Junior (unflavoured | Pharmacode: 2615568)
Loprofin animal shapes pasta (Pharmacode: 2304317)
PKU Anamix Junior (Vanilla | Pharmacode: 2556162)
PKU Lophlex (Berry flavour | Pharmacode: 2593882)
TYR Anamix Infant | Pharmacode: 2405342
Perindopril (Coversyl): Medicine update
The PSNZ has issued key messages for pharmacists about this change Perindopril (Coversyl): Change of Salt and Tablet Strength | PSNZ website [PDF]
We have updated our consumer flyer with a conversion table for the dose changes.
Risperidone (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg tablets)
Only the 4 mg Risperidone (Teva) tablets remain available (pharmacode 2466937), all other strengths are out of stock. Alternative brands are funded for the 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mg tablets.
From 1 October 2026, Risperidone Sandoz (Pharmacode 2693151) will be listed as an alternative for the 1 mg tablets.
Sildenafil (Vedafil) 25 and 50 mg tablets
The 25 mg tablets of Sildenafil (Crescent) will be funded from 1 October (Pharmacode: 2736020).
Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Tamsulosin-Rex)
A shipment of Tamsulosin-Rex (Pharmacode: 2438526) arrived in August and a further shipment is expected in mid-October 2026. The next shipment should resolve this issue.
Consultations & Notifications
Proposal to fund medicines for people with high blood pressure and bacterial infections (closes 29 September 2026)
Proposal to widen access to febuxostat to treat gout (closes 30 September 2026)
Monthly updates