Pharmac - Update for Primary Care Prescribers
- admin82291
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers | 26 September 2025
Below is the latest information on Pharmac consultations, notifications, and supply issues for Primary Care Prescribers for week 26 September 2025. It includes information on:
New updates:
Proposal to fund a new brand of methylphenidate for ADHD
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to fund a new modified-release brand of methylphenidate - Methylphenidate Sandoz XR - to help ease ongoing supply issues and provide more treatment options for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
If approved, this brand would be funded from 1 December 2025.
We welcome your feedback. Consultation is open until 5 pm, Wednesday 1 October 2025.
Please send your feedback to consult@pharmac.govt.nz or use the online form linked in the consultation.
Supply issue: ezetimibe 10mg with simvastatin 10mg Tab (Zimybe)
A shipment has been delayed. For patients who cannot access Zimbye there is the option to prescribe ezetimide and simvastatin separately. Further information will follow.
Supply issue update: mesalazine 400 tablet (Asacol)
Mesalazine 400 mg (Asacol) has been out of stock and is expected mid to end October. An alternative brand mesalazine 400mg (Octasa) will be listed on the Schedule from 1 October 2025 and is expected to arrive early October. This is not a Medsafe approved product and will be supplied under Section 29 of the Medicines Act.
Supply issue: podophyllotoxin (Condyline) solution 0.5%
There has been a delay with a recent shipment of Condyline due to significant temperature excursions in transit. There is an anticipated out-of-stock period from October 2025 to December 2025.
AFT has secured supply of an alternative Condyline product from the French market which will be available late October, and we therefore expect a potential supply gap. This is the same product produced at the same manufacturer as the New Zealand Condyline. To make the French pack suitable the main panel on the box will be over labelled with English language and an English language Consumer Medicine Information Leaflet will be provided. This is not a Medsafe approved medicine and will be supplied under Section 29 of the Medicines Act.
Supply Issue: zinc sulphate (Zincaps) Capsules 50mg
Due to difficulty sourcing the active ingredient, the delivery of Zincaps into NZ will be delayed until early January 2026. We have secured a small supply of Australian stock to partially cover the out-of-stock period. Apart from the carton, the rest of the product/pack size/blister/capsules are identical as it comes from the same manufacturer.
The Australian registered Zincaps will be listed on the Schedule from 1 October 2025. This is not Medsafe approved and will be supplied as a Section 29 medicine.
Pharmac is working with individual pharmacies to ensure supply is available for those patients with rare disorders.
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 be available early October.
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.
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.
Brand Change: dexamethasone phosphate inj 4 mg per ml 1 ml ampoule, and 2 ml ampoule
Dexamethasone phosphate inj 4 mg per ml, (Hameln, Max Health) will be replaced with the Medsurge brand from 1 October 2025. Unlike the Max Health product, the Medsurge product does not include propylene glycol as a preservative, which can be toxic in neonates and when used in the eye or spine. The Medsurge product contains creatinine as an excipient. Clinical advice indicated creatinine was deemed appropriate across all clinical areas—neonates, anaesthesia, and ophthalmology.
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 this month.
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.
Insulin pen needles (Berpu) 31 g x 6 mm
Loratadine (Lorafix) Tab 10 mg
Nortriptyline hydrochloride (Norpress) 10 mg and 25mg tab
