Pharmac - Update for Primary Care Prescribers
- admin82291
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 12 September 2025
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 12 September 2025. It includes information on:
New updates:
Access Widened: COVID-19 antivirals nirmatrelvir with ritonavir tablets (Paxlovid) and remdesivir injection (Veklury)
From 1 September 2025 the access criteria has been widened for COVID-19 antivirals nirmatrelvir with ritonavir tablets (Paxlovid) and remdesivir injection (Veklury). (Veklury is used in Hospital only.) The new addition to the eligibility criteria allows access for people who are 50 years and over and considered by their healthcare professional to be at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection. Other access criteria remain the same.
Additional information about the criteria change can be found on our Pharmac webpage Covid-19 antivirals
BPAC has developed guidance to support health care professionals to assess whether someone is at high risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19, this can be found on their website - BPACNZ | Access criteria for COVID-19 antivirals: Determine priority by need(external link)
Pharmac Consultation - Proposal to fund ticagrelor for people after minor stroke or high-risk TIA
We want your feedback on a proposal to fund ticagrelor, a blood-thinning medicine that helps prevent blood clots, for short-term use following a minor stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA).
This proposal would provide a funded option for people who can’t take clopidogrel because it doesn’t work for them or they’re allergic to it. It follows the discontinuation of dipyridamole. More information about the proposal is available on our website.
The consultation closes 5pm Wednesday 17 September.
If the proposal is approved, the funding change would start from 1 November 2025.
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. 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.
Supply issue: sodium fusidate [fusidic acid] (Fucithalmic) Eye drops 1%
Due to changes at the manufacturing plant, AFT (the supplier) advises that it has no stock of Fucithalmic eye drops. The Fucithalmic brand is a Medsafe approved product and is expected to be available again in December 2025. There is a Section 29 brand available.
Global Supply issue: Methylphenidate presentations
The worldwide shortage of methylphenidate continues. Our webpage has information - Expected shipments of methylphenidate - Pharmac website
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: Ferodan oral liq
The supplier, Viatris, has advised that it will be discontinuing Ferrous sulfate (Ferodan 500ml) Oral liq 30 mg (6 mg elemental iron) per 1 ml. Supply of Ferodan is expected to be exhausted in September 2025.
Ferrous sulphate - Ferro-Liquid 30mg (6mg elemental iron) per 1 ml (250ml) supplied by AFT, will be available.
Discontinuation: Abbott canned products
Pharmac has been informed by Abbott that it is discontinuing the 3 canned items in its range. Stock of Ensure Plus HN Vanilla 250ml and Pediasure Van 250ml has expired/run out.
Stock of Ensure Plus Vanilla 237ml is expected to run out mid-October 2025. Funded alternatives include Ensure Plus Vanilla 200ml bottle and Fortisip Multifibre.
People may need a new prescription and there may be a part charge. A new Special Authority will not be needed. More information is available on the Pharmac website.
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.
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
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.
Codeine phosphate (Noumed) Tab 60 mg
Ketoconazole (Sebizole) Shampoo 2%
Paroxetine (Loxamine) Tab 20 mg
Rifampicin (Rifadin) Cap 300 mg
Trimethoprim with sulphamethoxazole [Co-trimoxazole] (Trisul) Tab, trimethoprim 80 mg with sulphamethoxazole 400 mg
