Pharmac - Update for Primary Care Prescribers
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- 5 days ago
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Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 5 September 2025 |
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 5 September 2025. It includes information on:
New updates:
Supply Issue: mesalazine (Asacol) 400mg and 800mg tablets
Due to delays with manufacturing mesalazine (Asacol) 400 mg is out of stock, with a shipment expected in early October. The 800 mg stock is being limited and supplied on allocation due to a delay in the shipment. A very small amount of mesalazine (Asacol) 1600 mg tablet (S29 product) is available. Our Pharmac webpage on mesalazine has more information including a list of funded alternatives.
Supply issue: oxycodone hydrochloride (Oxycodone Amneal) tab immediate release
Pharmac has been advised the next delivery of oxycodone hydrochloride (Oxycodone Amneal) tab immediate release 5mg, 10mg and 20mg has been delayed and will now arrive later in September.
Oxycodone Tab immediate release 5mg: Supplier out of stock
Oxycodone Tab immediate release 10mg & immediate release 20mg: Stock is available.
Oxycodone 5mg/5ml oral liquid: stock is available.
Global Supply issue: Methylphenidate presentations
The worldwide shortage of methylphenidate continues. Our webpage has information - Expected shipments of methylphenidate - Pharmac website
Temporary brand change: paroxetine (Loxamine) 20 mg tablet to Paxtine 20mg tablet
There was a manufacturing delay affecting paroxetine (Loxamine) 20 mg tablets. Stock has now arrived in New Zealand.
An alternative brand Paxtine was funded from 1 September 2025 and is available for those who cannot source Loxamine. Paxtine tablets have the same formulation and appearance as the New Zealand Loxamine brand. Paxtine is manufactured by the same supplier and is a Medsafe approved product. The difference is that the packaging is designed for Australia.
Brand Change: nortriptyline tablets 10mg & 25mg tablets from Norpress (Viatris) to Allegron (Arrotex)
Viatris, the supplier of Norpress tablets, has advised Pharmac that it is discontinuing both strengths of nortriptyline hydrochloride. It is estimated that Norpress stock will run out in October 2025. The Allegron brand was listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2025.
Discontinuation: dipyridamole tab long-acting 150 mg (Pytazen SR) and temporary alternative listed: Dipyridamole 200 mg Prolonged Release Capsules, Hard.
Douglas, the supplier of dipyridamole tab long-acting 150 mg (Pytazen SR), has advised of the discontinuation of this product.
Pharmac has secured temporary supply of Dipyridamole 200 mg Prolonged Release Capsules, Hard (Strides Pharma UK Ltd). This is a Section 29 medicine and was listed from 1 September 2025.
Access to this alternative is limited to existing patients, to allow more time for people to move to a new treatment. New patients will not be able to start on dipyridamole. Pytazen is being discontinued globally.
Discontinuation: labetalol 200mg tablet (Trandate) & New listing/ Brand change: Labetalol 200mg tablet (Presolol)
Trandate tablets 200mg have been discontinued and stock is expected to be depleted by September 2025. Pharmac has secured supply of labetalol 200mg tablet (Presolol). This is a Section 29 medicine and was listed from 1 September 2025.
Labetalol 100mg tablet (Trandate) was replaced by the Section 29 Biocon brand in July 2025.
Funding Discontinuation: ferrous sulfate (Ferrograd) tab long-acting 325 mg
Viatris has notified Pharmac that it is no longer supplying Ferrograd. Stock of funded ferrous sulfate (Ferrograd) tab long-acting 325 mg is expected to be exhausted early September 2025.
Our clinical advisors have told us that ferrous fumarate tablets (Ferro-tab) would meet the needs of the majority of people currently receiving Ferrograd. Please transition the people you are treating as soon as possible.
Note these tablets contain different levels of elemental iron and have different release characteristics. See NZF for clinical guidance on the prescribing of oral iron.
Pharmac is seeking to understand if there are individuals or groups of people for whom ferrous fumarate may not be appropriate. We would welcome any feedback. Email consult@pharmac.govt.nz
Pharmac confirms continued funding of Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine and widens access for priority groups
Pharmac has confirmed a new supply agreement with Pfizer to continue funding the Comirnaty brand of COVID-19 vaccine.
From 1 February 2026, Comirnaty will remain the main funded COVID-19 vaccine in Aotearoa New Zealand until at least 30 September 2027, with options to extend through to 2029.
The vaccine will continue to be available in different doses for infants, children, and adults. A new prefilled syringe for adults will also be introduced to support easier administration by health professionals.
We’ve made changes to the original proposal following feedback from clinicians and the public. In response, we’ve widened access to ensure more people who need protection can receive it:
Children under 12 who are severely immunocompromised or at high risk of serious illness will now be eligible for extra doses every 6 or 12 months respectively.
Young adults aged 12–29 who are severely immunocompromised or at high risk of serious illness will be able to receive updated vaccines every 6 months.
Read the full decision to continue funding Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine here
Resolved Supply Issues:
Supply issues are marked as resolved when stock arrives in the country and is released to wholesalers. After this, it can take another 1-2 weeks for pharmacies to receive stock, depending on where they are located around New Zealand.
Omeprazole (Teva) Cap 40 mg
Potassium chloride (Span-k) 600 mg (8 mmol)
Tetracosactrin (Synacthen) Inj 250 mcg per ml, 1 ml ampoule
